PARIS (AP) 鈥 Novak Djokovic is unsure he will play at the French Open ever again after losing to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the semifinals on Friday.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion cast doubt on whether he will be back at Roland-Garros next year, when he will be 39. Moments after losing 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3), Djokovic took the time to put his bag down and applaud all sides of Court Philippe-Chatrier.
鈥淚 mean, this could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don鈥檛 know. That鈥檚 why I was a bit more emotional even in the end,鈥 Djokovic said.
鈥淏ut 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.鈥
He kissed his hand after the defeat, then put it on the clay, as if saying farewell to the French Open, where he was champion three times. He pulled his bags up, looked high up into the stands, and headed down to the tunnel.
鈥淒o I wish to play more, yes I do. But will I be able to play here in 12 months' time, I don鈥檛 know,鈥 Djokovic said. 鈥淚 said it could have been my last match (here), I didn't say it was.鈥
Djokovic said he definitely intends to play at , which begins on June 30, and the U.S. Open in August, but is not sure about his plans after that.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career. You know, I am going to keep on keeping on,鈥 he said. 鈥淲imbledon is next, which is my childhood favorite tournament. I鈥檓 going to do everything possible to get myself ready.鈥
He won an historic 100th singles title just before the French Open, but mainly continues to play to add to his record haul of Grand Slams. He is driven to win a 25th Grand Slam, to have sole custody of the most major titles in men's and women's tennis.
But his last Grand Slam title was at the 2023 U.S. Open. He failed to win a Grand Slam last year for the first time in seven years.
鈥淚 guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon, you know, to win another slam or faster hard court,鈥 he said.
He won the French Open in 2016, 鈥21 and 鈥23. His last title was .
鈥淲imbledon and U.S. Open, yes, they are in plans. That's all I can say right now,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut I feel like I want to play Wimbledon, I want to play U.S. Open. Those two, for sure. For the rest, I鈥檓 not so sure.鈥
Sinner hopes Djokovic sticks around a while longer.
鈥淔irst of all, I hope it鈥檚 not the case (he retires soon) because tennis needs him. It鈥檚 so nice and amazing to have someone different than the younger guys,鈥 the 23-year-old Italian said. 鈥淔rom my point of view, it鈥檚 great to see him in the locker room and to see his enthusiasm. He is a true role model for all of us.鈥 ___
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