Novak Djokovic Will ‘Do Everything Possible’ to Win Wimbledon as He Hints At Retirement After French Open Exit

Novak Djokovic will bid to end his trophy-less campaign in Grand Slam events at Wimbledon next after Jannik Sinner beat him in Paris.

Novak Djokovic Will ‘Do Everything Possible’ to Win Wimbledon as He Hints At Retirement After French Open Exit

Novak Djokovic (Image via X/24)

Novak Djokovic kissed the clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier after his defeat to Jannik Sinner in an entertaining semifinal of the French Open on Friday (June 6). After the match, Djokovic expressed his uncertainty over whether he would be coming to Roland Garros the next season.

The scoreline of the match read 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3). But perhaps only the watchers of the game know that the number cannot perfectly describe the intensity with which both the players were fighting for each point.

It won’t be wrong to say that when Djokovic entered Roland Garros, many thought he would make an early exit, given that he registered three consecutive defeats twice this season. But then again when it comes to Majors, it’s tough to write the 24-time Grand Slam champion off.

Before the quarterfinal, he won all his matches in straight sets. Perhaps many thought he would lose the match against Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, and more so when he dropped the first set. But Djokovic turned the table completely in his favor by winning the next two, before eventually he set up the clash with the World No.1.

It was Zverev whom he handed a walkover in the Australian Open semifinal this year after outlasting Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinal. After his Australian Open exit, Djokovic talked about the uncertainty of playing the Melbourne Major the next season and after his defeat to Sinner, he reiterated the same.

This could’ve been the last match ever I played here. I don’t know. That’s why it was a bit more emotional in the end. If this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd.

Now Djokovic will prepare for Wimbledon, where he tasted success seven times. He last won the title in 2022 and had reached the finals in the last two seasons, losing both to Alcaraz.

Obviously, Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favorite tournament. I’m gonna do everything possible to get myself ready. I guess my best chance is maybe Wimbledon to win another slam. Or a faster hard court, maybe Australia or something like that.

Novak Djokovic added

Jannik Sinner sets up French Open final clash with Carlos Alcaraz after beating Novak Djokovic

Jannik Sinner only faced one tough match so far in the tournament. Before eliminating Novak Djokovic, he was handing bagels and breadsticks to his opponents.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Giovanni Pelazzo, Carlos Alcaraz)

The next match is expected to be another entertaining thriller because against Sinner will be playing defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who holds a 7-4 head-to-head record and defeated the Italian in their four consecutive matches. The defeat also includes the Italian Open final they played before arriving in Paris.

Sinner’s run in the French Open last year was also ended by Alcaraz after a nail-biting five-setter semifinal. At the press conference after his win, Sinner talked about the rivalry with the young Spaniard.

Only time will tell if we establish a rivalry like the Big 3, but what I can say is that he makes me a better player, pushes me beyond my limits, and forces me to understand what I can do to beat him in the upcoming matches. Tennis needs rivalries like this.

Before booking a spot in his second consecutive French Open final, Alcaraz was handed a walkover by Lorenzo Musetti. Last year, after moving past the three-time Grand Slam champion, the 22-year-old played another five-setter- against Alexander Zverev- to become a French Open champion for the first time. Sinner, on the other hand, will be playing his first championship match in the clay-court Major.

Also read: Andy Roddick Says Aryna Sabalenka Doesn’t Get the Credit She Deserves for the Improvements in Her Game