French Open 2025: Novak Djokovic on ‘emotional’ French Open exit - ‘This could have been the last match ever I played here’
Published 06/06/2025 at 23:20 GMT+1
Novak Djokovic put in an incredible effort in the 2025 French Open semi-final, but he could not get over the line against world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. The 24-time Grand Slam winner fell to a 4-6 5-7 6-7(3) defeat, and admitted after the match that he may have taken to the iconic clay courts of Roland-Garros for the last time. The former world No. 1 will now look ahead to Wimbledon.
Highlights: Sinner sinks Djokovic in straight sets to reach final at Roland-Garros
Video credit: TNT Sports
Novak Djokovic admitted that he may have played his last match at Roland-Garros after falling to a straight-sets defeat against Jannik Sinner in the semi-final of the 2025 French Open.
Sinner dispatched the 24-time Grand Slam 6-4 7-5 7-6(3) on Court Philippe-Chatrier, proving too strong from the back of the court and producing the goods when he needed to in the big moments.
World No. 1 Sinner will face 2024 champion Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's final while Djokovic is now without a Grand Slam triumph since his victory at the 2023 US Open.
French fans will be hoping to see more of Djokovic in the years to come, but he could not guarantee that he would be back at the iconic venue in 2026.
The 38-year-old kissed the clay and appeared to spend longer than usual thanking the crowd before leaving the court.
"I mean, this could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don't know," he said. "That's why I was a bit more emotional, even in the end.
"But if this was the farewell match of the Roland-Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/06/06/image-22a93e65-81f8-4c1e-8dee-a198cd4e0410-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Djokovic hails Sinner’s mentality – ‘He showed why he is No. 1 in the world’
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Not long, you know, I don't know. I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career.
"You know, I'm going to keep on keeping on, yes."
Sinner and Alcaraz will go head-to-head in the French Open final live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Sunday.
The tennis world's attention will then turn to Wimbledon, which is set to get underway on June 30.
Djokovic insists that he will do everything in his power to be ready for the climax of the grass-court season.
- 'What are you talking about?' - Djokovic fumes at line call in controversial moment
- Becker calls for 'incredible athlete' Djokovic to return to French Open
- Sinner hails Djokovic as 'best player in history' after semi-final triumph
"Obviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament," he added. "I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready.
"I guess my best chances are maybe Wimbledon, you know, to win another slam or on a faster hard court, maybe Australia or something like that.
"But, you know, I must say that I was proud of my effort tonight in this tournament, considering, you know, I wasn't in great form coming into Roland-Garros, but yeah, he was just too good for me tonight.
"I had some chances in the third set and set point. I had a forehand, and I went for it, and I missed it.
"That's what these kind of guys, like Sinner and Alcaraz particularly, present on the court.
"They put pressure, so they're constantly on you and, you know, basically increase the pressure as the match progresses."
Watch and stream the French Open 2025 live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement