'Could be last match I play here' - was that Djokovic's goodbye to Paris?

French Open 2025

Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland Garros

Coverage: Live power commentaries crossed 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, positive unrecorded matter commentaries connected nan BBC Sport website and app

Before Novak Djokovic near nan tribunal aft his French Open semi-final defeat, he put his racquet bags down connected nan clay and said a heartfelt goodbye to nan Paris crowd.

He bent to touch nan clay connected Court Philippe Chatrier earlier holding his manus to his bosom and waving to nan crowd.

It felt for illustration a last farewell for a subordinate who turned 38 past month.

Or will it beryllium to beryllium 'au revoir' until they meet again adjacent year?

Three-time champion Djokovic, who mislaid a tight conflict pinch world number 1 Jannik Sinner successful consecutive sets, is unsure if he will return.

"This could person been nan past lucifer ever I played present - I don't know. That's why it was a spot much affectional astatine nan end," said Djokovic.

"But if this was nan farewell lucifer of Roland Garros for maine successful my career, it was a awesome 1 successful position of nan ambiance and what I sewage from nan crowd."

Djokovic was fixed immense vocal support arsenic he tried to move a measurement person to a standalone grounds 25th awesome title.

The Serb was besides aiming for different grounds - triumph successful Sunday's last would person made him nan oldest Grand Slam men's singles champion.

But he could not break down nan steely guidance of apical seed Sinner, who won 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) to group up a last against 2nd seed Carlos Alcaraz.

Pressed astir really his early could look, Djokovic said: "I don't cognize correct now. Twelve months astatine this constituent successful my profession is rather a agelong time.

"Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I beryllium capable to play successful 12 months' clip present again? I don't know.

"That's each I tin opportunity for nan moment."

A patchy play by Djokovic's lofty standards led to questions astir his stamina and information coming into Roland Garros.

The departure of rival-turned-coach Andy Murray besides indicated things were not functioning arsenic hoped, though he did lukewarm up by winning his 100th ATP title astatine nan Geneva Open.

Djokovic's capacity against Sinner showed he is not fresh to rotation complete into status conscionable yet - and emphasised why he prioritises nan 4 fields successful nan second stages of his career.

"Those tournaments are nan priorities of my schedule," said Djokovic, who besides reached nan Australian Open semi-finals successful January.

"Wimbledon and US Open, yes, they are successful plans. That's each I tin opportunity correct now.

"I consciousness for illustration I want to play those two, for sure. For nan rest, I'm not truthful sure."

Djokovic will beryllium bidding for a record-equalling eighth men's singles title astatine Wimbledon, having mislaid nan past 2 finals location to Alcaraz.

"Wimbledon is my puerility favourite tournament. I'm going to do everything imaginable to get myself ready," he added.

"I conjecture my champion chances possibly are Wimbledon, you know, to triumph different Slam aliases possibly Australia."

The extremity is intelligibly successful show for Djokovic, who has played 1,375 matches since turning master successful 2004.

But his trademark conflict and fittingness helped him enactment wrong rubbing region of 23-year-old Sinner, who has dominated nan ATP Tour complete nan past 18 months.

"I was proud of my effort coming successful this tournament, considering I wasn't successful awesome shape coming into Roland Garros," he said.

"Jannik was conscionable excessively bully for me."

The brace went toe-to-toe successful an absorbing title lasting complete 3 hours successful which some men pushed each different to their limits.

Afterwards Sinner, who has won his past 20 Grand Slam matches, described Djokovic's level arsenic "amazing".

"I had to measurement up and play nan champion tennis I could," nan Italian added.

"It shows again what a domiciled exemplary for each of us, particularly for young players.

"What he is doing is incredible. We are truthful fortunate to spot him play high-level tennis."