CRYPTIC DEPARTURE 'COULD HAVE BEEN LAST MATCH' IN PARIS FOR EMOTIONAL DJOKOVIC
- Christian Montegan
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
An "emotional" Novak Djokovic has hinted that his straight sets defeat at the hands of world No.1 Jannik Sinner may well be his final appearance at Roland-Garros.
The 24-time major winner matched it with the Italian for nearly three hours and 20 minutes, but the scoreline wasn't reflected in that, going down 4-6 5-7 6-7(3).
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Yet it was Djokovic's departure from Centre Court that attracted attention, as the Serbian dropped his tennis bags to take a few more moments than usual to thank the crowd, and also kissed the ground.
He noted his "great sense of gratitude" towards the fans on Philippe-Chatrier, before clearing up the mixed message he sent through his emotional farewell to the crowd as he left the court.
"I don't think I have ever received this much support in this stadium in my career in big matches against the best players in the world. So very, very honoured to experience that," Djokovic said in his press conference.
"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.
"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."
Djokovic arrived at Roland-Garros with little confidence after first-round exits at the Monte-Carlo and Madrid Masters, leading him to enter the Geneva 250 event, which he went on to win.
Now world No.6 and struggling to topple the likes of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, his future remains as uncertain as ever.
"Not long," Djokovic replied when asked how long he had considered that this year's French Open might be his last. "I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career. I'm going to keep on keeping on, yes (smiling).
"Obviously, Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament. I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready. I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon to win another slam, or faster hard court, maybe Australia.
"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."
Pressed further by the media to clarify his position on a potential retirement in the near future, the 38-year-old made his thoughts clear.
"I said it could have been my last match. I didn't say it was. So I don't know right now. 12 months at this point in my career is quite a long time," he explained.
"Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months here again? I don't know. I don't know. That's all I can say for the moment."
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