Novak Djokovic: ‘This could have been the last match I ever played’ at Roland Garros 

PARIS, France — Novak Djokovic cut a somber figure on Friday evening, after falling in straight sets to Jannik Sinner in the Roland Garros semifinals.

The three-time champion was outplayed by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who notched his fourth consecutive win over Djokovic in a streak dating back to 2023. The Italian will face Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday for the Coupe des Mousquetaires, as he seeks his fourth Grand Slam title.

Read More: Jannik Sinner defeats Novak Djokovic, books Carlos Alcaraz 2025 Roland Garros final

After the match, Djokovic received a standing ovation from fans on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The crowd had spent much of the three-hour and 17-minute battle cheering him on—especially in the closely contested second and third sets—before he ultimately fell 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3).

As he walked off the court, Djokovic took a moment to return the love. After waving to fans on every side of the stadium, he paused, bent over and placed a kiss on the terre-battue. He appeared emotional as he exited, holding a hand over his heart in gratitude.

“I mean, this could have been the last match ever I played here, so… I don't know,” Djokovic revealed in his post-match press conference. “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.”

Even as he pondered a possible ‘farewell’ to Paris, the 38-year-old left the door open for a return. Read what he said in our Tennis.com Quote du Jour:

Q. When you said that it could be your last here, is that like ‘all options are on the table’, or that's where you're leaning towards at the moment?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I said it could have been my last match. I didn't say it was. So I don't know right now. Twelve months, at this point in my career, is quite a long time.

Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months' time here again? I don't know. I don't know.

So, yeah. I mean, that's all I can say for the moment.

I mean, this could have been the last match I ever played here, so… I don't know. That's why I was a bit more emotional even in the end.

Djokovic, the No. 6 seed, had been chasing an all-time record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. He won the Olympic gold medal at this same venue last year, and secured the Open Era major record with his most recent Slam victory at the US Open.

Still, his fans can breathe easy—for now. Djokovic was quick to clarify that the chase isn’t over.

Read More: Novak Djokovic records historic 100th career win at Roland Garros

With his name etched into the tennis history books many times over and a long list of records to his name—he recently won his 100th ATP title in Geneva, and he marked his 100th match win at Roland Garros a few days ago—Djokovic says there’s still more he wants to achieve.

“Obviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favorite tournament. I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready,” Djokovic confirmed.

“I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon, you know, to win another slam or faster hard court, maybe (Australian Open) or something like that.

“But, you know, I must say that I was proud of my effort tonight in this tournament, considering I wasn't in great form coming into Roland Garros. But yeah, he was just too good for me tonight.”