- May 30, 2026
Novak Djokovic Sparks Retirement Fears After Shock French Open Defeat: ‘I Don’t Know’
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Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca rallied from two sets down to beat Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros.
Novak Djokovic isn’t sure if he will be back at French Open. (AP Photo)
Retirement fears surrounding Novak Djokovic have intensified after the Serbian admitted he was unsure whether he would return to the French Open following a shock third-round exit at Roland Garros on Friday. Djokovic’s pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title came to an abrupt end as Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca staged a remarkable comeback, recovering from two sets down to defeat the 24-time major champion 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in a marathon contest that lasted nearly five hours.
The defeat marked Djokovic‘s earliest exit at Roland Garros since 2009.
As he left Court Philippe-Chatrier, the 39-year-old made a heart gesture toward the crowd, prompting questions about whether fans had witnessed his final appearance at the Paris major.
When asked during an interaction with the media if he would return next year, Djokovic twice responded: “I don’t know.”
The Serbian legend has remained stuck on 24 Grand Slam titles since winning the 2023 US Open, and opportunities to add to that tally are becoming increasingly scarce. A three-time French Open champion, Djokovic had once again emerged as the leading contender after world number one Jannik Sinner suffered a surprise exit from the tournament.
With two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz already absent due to injury, the draw appeared to open up for Djokovic. However, the veteran was unwilling to dwell on what might have been.
“I don’t care. I don’t care. I’ll stop you right there. No. Just lost third round. Let’s just talk about something else,” he said.
When asked if he will be back at Roland Garros, the former champion replied, “I don’t know.”
Djokovic’s departure also guarantees a first-time men’s Grand Slam champion at this year’s French Open, ending a streak of nine consecutive majors won by either Sinner or Alcaraz.
Despite the disappointment, Djokovic was full of praise for Fonseca, whose talent has generated significant excitement despite an inconsistent season.
“I congratulated him and told him that he deserved to win and played an unbelievable match, and he should be proud of himself,” said Djokovic. “The kind of level of tennis we’ve seen him play created a lot of hype around him, and I think we’ve all seen today why there is hype around him. The level was amazing.”
Having reached at least the semi-finals in each of the previous five Grand Slam tournaments, Djokovic struggled to find answers to Fonseca’s relentless power in the decisive moments.
“I don’t think I’ve done too much wrong with my game. It’s just that he was just better,” sighed Djokovic. “I think I was playing good tennis, really good level.”
Djokovic arrived in Paris with limited clay-court preparation after returning from a shoulder injury that had sidelined him since March. Before Roland Garros, he had played only one match on clay this season, in Rome.
“Taking everything into consideration and all the circumstances, I think the level was really good,” said Djokovic, who credited the crowd’s support for helping him through the demanding encounter.
“A couple times where I felt like I was barely standing on my legs towards the end of the match, and looking at the crowd and seeing them lift my spirits and support me was something really magical, honestly.
“When I take out all the disappointment and negative thoughts about the match, there’s a lot to be proud about, what I’ve been through, what I experienced. I’m very grateful for this kind of experience.”
Whether those words prove to be a farewell to Roland Garros remains uncertain, but Djokovic’s repeated admission that he does not know if he will return has inevitably sparked fresh speculation about how much longer one of tennis’ greatest champions plans to continue competing.
With AFP Inputs
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