On June 6th, Novak Djokovic, who has won 24 singles in the four grand men’s tennis tournaments, said he “still don’t know” about whether he will compete in the French Open next year (Reuters, 2025)
PARIS, June 6 (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic (38, Serbia), who has won 24 singles in the men’s tennis tournaments, said on the 6th that he “doesn’t know yet” about whether he will compete in next year’s French Open.
Djokovic lost straight to world No. 1 Janic Sinner (Italy), in the semi-finals of the French Open on the 6th, in a straight set, and missed the final, and said at a press conference, “It may be possible that this was the last game I will play here. I don’t know yet.”
After the loss, he bent over and touched the clay court, and received a standing ovation to the fans, and he greeted the fans, and said, “That’s why I was a little emotional at the end. But if this was the last match in my career at Roland Garros, it was amazing in terms of the atmosphere and what I received from the audience.”
Regarding the Wimbledon Championships to be held at the end of this month and the US Open, which will begin in August, and the remaining two major tournaments this year, he said, “At this point, we will follow our original plans to compete in the Grand Slam. Those are schedule priorities. Wimbledon and the US Open are definitely on schedule.”
On the other hand, he said, “We still don’t know about the remaining tournaments. At this stage of his career, we really don’t know what will happen tomorrow. 12 months is quite long. If you ask me if I want to play more, of course. But I don’t know if I’ll be able to play here again in 12 months. That’s all I can say now,” he said, expressing his view that he has yet to decide whether he will be participating in this year’s Grand Slam tournament.
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Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd after his loss to Jannik Sinner at the French Open on June 6th, 2024.(Photo by: Getty Images/reuters)
PARIS, June 6 (Reuters) – Tennis titan Novak Djokovic, the Serbian sensation and holder of a staggering 24 Grand Slam singles titles, cast doubt over his future participation in the French Open. Following his straight-sets defeat to Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals on Thursday, Djokovic hinted at the possibility that his Roland Garros journey might be over.
The emotional weight of the moment was palpable. After the match, Djokovic, 38, knelt down to touch the iconic clay court, a gesture that spoke volumes about his deep connection to the tournament. He was met with a standing ovation from the adoring fans, prompting a wave of emotion. “that’s why I was a little emotional at the end,” Djokovic confessed during the post-match press conference. “But if this was the last match in my career at Roland Garros, it was amazing in terms of the atmosphere and what I received from the audience.”
While the immediate future remains uncertain for the Serbian legend at Roland Garros, Djokovic remains steadfast in his commitment to the upcoming Wimbledon Championships and the US Open, two more major tournaments on the 2024 calendar. “At this point, we will follow our original plans to compete in the Grand Slam. Those are schedule priorities. Wimbledon and the US Open are definitely on schedule,” he stated.
Djokovic’s reflections on his potential future at Roland Garros reflect his long and prosperous career and the physical and mental strain that comes with it. “We still don’t know about the remaining tournaments.at this stage of his career, we really don’t know what will happen tomorrow,” he admitted. “12 months is quiet long. If you ask me if I want to play more, of course.But I don’t know if I’ll be able to play here again in 12 months.That’s all I can say now.”
Djokovic’s words offer a window into the complexities of professional tennis, where the demands of the sport are immense and future plans can be highly fluid. His openness about the uncertainty surrounding his return to the french Open next year has sparked a flurry of discussion among tennis fans worldwide.
Djokovic’s grand Slam Dominance: A Comparative Glance
Djokovic’s remarkable career is defined by his consistent success at the four Grand Slam tournaments.The following table provides a snapshot of his achievements and compares them to some of his top rivals, offering a broader context around his recent comments regarding the French Open.
| Tournament | Novak Djokovic (Titles) | Rafael Nadal (Titles) | Roger Federer (Titles) | Key Observations |
| Australian Open | 10 | 2 | 6 | Djokovic has the most Australian Open titles in the Open Era. |
| French Open | 3 | 14 | 1 | Nadal’s dominance on clay (14 titles) is a benchmark. Djokovic has shown strong form, winning 3 titles.
| Wimbledon | 7 | 2 | 8 | Federer holds the record for most Wimbledon titles, Djokovic sits closely behind. |
| US Open | 4 | 4 | 5 | Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer are all competitive. Federer won 5, while Djokovic and Nadal have 4. |
| Total Grand Slams | 24 | 22 | 20 | Djokovic is the current record holder in men’s singles Grand Slam titles and continues to push records. |
The table underscores Djokovic’s sustained excellence across various surfaces and against formidable opponents. It exemplifies his greatness and highlights the caliber of competition he continuously faces.
FAQ: Novak Djokovic and the French Open
Here are frequently asked questions regarding Novak Djokovic’s future and the French Open, providing greater insight into the current situation.
Q: Will Novak Djokovic play in the French Open in 2025?
A: As of June 6, 2024, Djokovic stated he “doesn’t know yet” if he will compete at the 2025 French Open. He has emphasized his focus on the immediate Grand Slam events, Wimbledon and US Open. The decision will likely be a matter of time, as it depends on his physical condition and his own desire to play.
Q: How many times has Novak Djokovic won the French Open?
A: Novak Djokovic has won the French Open three times. This makes him one of the most successful players in the tournament’s history, although Rafael Nadal holds the record with 14 titles.
Q: What are Djokovic’s plans for the rest of 2024?
A: Djokovic intends to participate in the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open. Subsequent tournaments are undecided and depend on his performance and physical state.
Q: Why is Djokovic considering retirement from the French Open?
A: Djokovic has not officially announced his retirement from the French Open. He has expressed uncertainty about his return in 2025. The demands of the sport, his age, and the pressure of competing at the highest level all can influence this.
Q: How dose djokovic’s record compare to roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
A: Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam singles titles,the most by any man. Nadal has 22 and Federer has 20.
Q: What is the importance of Djokovic’s connection with Roland Garros?
A: For Djokovic, Roland Garros became a venue to showcase his best form, winning three major titles. The passionate fanbase supports him. He received a standing ovation at the end of his most recent match, reflecting the atmosphere he values.
James Whitfield is Archysport's racket sports and golf specialist, bringing a global perspective to tennis, badminton, and golf coverage. Based between London and Singapore, James has covered Grand Slam tournaments, BWF World Tour events, and major golf championships on five continents. His reporting combines on-the-ground access with deep knowledge of the technical and strategic elements that separate elite athletes from the rest of the field. James is fluent in English, French, and Mandarin, giving him unique access to athletes across the global tennis and badminton circuits.