‘Could be my last match here': Djokovic hints at retirement after French Open loss
Jannik Sinner battled past Novak Djokovic in a gripping French Open semi-final on Saturday morning (AEST) to book a first grand slam final meeting with reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard saw off Lorenzo Musetti.
World number one Sinner held off a record-chasing Djokovic with an impressive 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) win on Court Philippe Chatrier to reach his maiden Roland Garros final.
'He is the best player in the history of our sport, playing against him here is amazing,' said the 23-year-old Sinner.
'Of course I try to not think about this but before coming on court you feel the tension.' Djokovic showed his trademark fighting qualities in a dramatic contest that lasted three hours and 16 minutes, but three missed set points late in the third set ultimately put paid to his hopes of a comeback.
As he waved farewell to the crowd, Djokovic bent down and picked up a piece of clay from the court, kissing it before heading to the exit.
His comments post-match suggested retirement from tennis could soon be on the cards for the 38-year-old.
Djokovic will next attempt to win a record-breaking 25th grand slam title at Wimbledon next month.
'Obviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament,' said the world number six.
'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 or something like that.' Alcaraz earlier booked his place in Sunday's final when opponent Musetti retired with a leg injury in the fourth set of their last-four tie.
Sinner, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament, will be hoping to gain revenge on Alcaraz after losing to the Spaniard in five sets in the semi-finals last year.
Alcaraz has won his last four matches against Sinner, including in the Italian Open final in May when Sinner returned from a three-month doping ban.
'Sunday is going to be very difficult, I know my head-to-head lately doesn't look great against Carlos but let's see what I can do,' added Sinner.
Djokovic's exit ensures that a sixth successive major title will be lifted by either Sinner or Alcaraz, in what appears increasingly likely to be a permanent changing of the guard.
'This could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don't know,' said Djokovic.
'I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career. You know, I'm going to keep on keeping on.' Sunday will see the first grand slam final to be played between two men born in the 2000s.
Neither Sinner or Alcaraz have ever lost a major final, and now they meed in a grand slam final for the first time.
It is also the first grand slam tournament in which the top two seeds will contest both the men's and women's finals since the 2013 US Open, with Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff set to face off for the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen on Saturday.
Djokovic had his chances, but Sinner consistently proved too strong in the key moments, including when breaking immediately after failing to serve out the second set.
The Italian hit 44 winners in total over the gruelling three sets, showing excellent resilience to stave off three set points in the 10th game of the third.
1 - Two players born in 2000s (Carlos #Alcaraz and Jannik #Sinner) will face each other in a Men’s Singles final at a Grand Slam event for the first time. Can't wait! #RolandGarros | @rolandgarros @atptour
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) June 6, 2025
Earlier, world number two Alcaraz was leading 4-6 7-6 (7/3) 6-0 2-0 under the Court Philippe Chatrier roof when Italian Musetti called it quits due to a thigh injury.
'It's never great to go through or win a match when it's like this,' said the 22-year-old.
'He's done an incredible clay season. I wish him all the best, a quick recovery and that he'll be back soon.' Alcaraz will aim to win his fifth grand slam title in two days' time.
'It's been three intense weeks and now I have one step to make,' he said.
'I'll give everything on Sunday, I've been playing great tennis this tournament.'
Musetti saved break points in the first and seventh games before grabbing a one-set lead with a break in the 10th game.
The Spaniard raced through a second-set breaker, though, taking his third set point when Musetti fired an attempted passing shot into the net.
Musetti could not deal with the power coming from the other side of the net in the third set and briefly received treatment on his left thigh.
Alcaraz went on to romp through the set, in which eighth seed Musetti mustered only five points, in just 22 minutes.
Musetti surrendered another break early in the fourth set as Alcaraz thumped a forehand return into the corner, and the 23-year-old immediately headed to the net to shake his opponent's hand.
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The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Sinner embraces burgeoning rivalry with Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner believes his battle for supremacy with fellow French Open finalist Carlos Alcaraz could become the defining rivalry of their era. And the world No.1 believes it is something the sport needs with its golden generation of players calling time on their careers. Sinner beat Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in a generational battle on Court Philippe Chatrier to deny his Serbian opponent a record 25th grand slam and leave him unsure whether he will ever return to Roland Garros, where he has won three major trophies. The 23-year-old Italian, who is seeking his fourth grand slam title, booked a mouth-watering meeting with his main rival Alcaraz, who will aim to retain his crown at Roland Garros and add a fifth major crown to his trophy cabinet. With Djokovic now the only active member of tennis's Big Four that also included Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray and yielded a collective 69 major titles in more than two decades, Sinner sensed an opportunity for himself and Alcaraz. "It takes time to compare us with the Big Three or Big Four, no? Only time can tell, to be honest," Sinner told reporters. "For sure, from my point of view, he's a player who makes me a better player. He pushes me to the limit. We try to understand where we have to improve, for the next times I play against him. "I believe that tennis or every sport needs rivalries. This could be potentially one of them, but there are amazing players coming up. There can be so many different and other players joining or one drops. You never know." Sunday's clash on Court Philippe Chatrier will mark only the 12th time Sinner and Alcaraz have faced off, with the 22-year-old Spaniard looking for a fifth straight victory over his opponent to successfully defend his title. Djokovic said the pair would have to keep going to match the rivalry he had with Federer, Nadal and Murray. "At the moment, that's hard, because they need to play against each for at least 10-plus years non-stop in order to be part of the same discussion," Djokovic added. "But they're definitely great for tennis, both of them. I think their rivalry is something our sport needs." Sinner said he and Alcaraz had a similar aura and could get more fans interested in the sport. "He's a player with charisma, with that aura," Sinner said. "The moment he steps on court, you can feel his presence. In the end, that's exactly what tennis needs. The more people like that, the more players like that, the better. "In the end, it's exactly those players who bring people closer to the sport and make them want to watch tennis." Sinner extended his winning streak in grand slams to 20 matches, after winning the US Open and the Australian Open. In the earlier semi-final, Alcaraz led 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 2-0 against Lorenzo Musetti when the eighth-seeded Italian retired with a leg injury. Alcaraz is attempting to become only the third man to retain his Roland Garros title this century, after Rafa Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten. Musetti twice denied Alcaraz the chance to break in the opening nine games before the 23-year-old suddenly dialled up the intensity and snatched the opening set when his Spanish opponent produced errors in a poor service game. A frustrated Alcaraz kicked his bench during the second set but finally found a way through Musetti's dogged defence to draw level after a tiebreak and then produced a dazzling display of power and precision to advance. "I'm feeling great physically. It's been three intense weeks but I have one more step to take. I'm playing great tennis and I have great confidence. I've been doing great things in this tournament and now is the time to give 100 per cent in the final." Jannik Sinner believes his battle for supremacy with fellow French Open finalist Carlos Alcaraz could become the defining rivalry of their era. And the world No.1 believes it is something the sport needs with its golden generation of players calling time on their careers. Sinner beat Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in a generational battle on Court Philippe Chatrier to deny his Serbian opponent a record 25th grand slam and leave him unsure whether he will ever return to Roland Garros, where he has won three major trophies. The 23-year-old Italian, who is seeking his fourth grand slam title, booked a mouth-watering meeting with his main rival Alcaraz, who will aim to retain his crown at Roland Garros and add a fifth major crown to his trophy cabinet. With Djokovic now the only active member of tennis's Big Four that also included Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray and yielded a collective 69 major titles in more than two decades, Sinner sensed an opportunity for himself and Alcaraz. "It takes time to compare us with the Big Three or Big Four, no? Only time can tell, to be honest," Sinner told reporters. "For sure, from my point of view, he's a player who makes me a better player. He pushes me to the limit. We try to understand where we have to improve, for the next times I play against him. "I believe that tennis or every sport needs rivalries. This could be potentially one of them, but there are amazing players coming up. There can be so many different and other players joining or one drops. You never know." Sunday's clash on Court Philippe Chatrier will mark only the 12th time Sinner and Alcaraz have faced off, with the 22-year-old Spaniard looking for a fifth straight victory over his opponent to successfully defend his title. Djokovic said the pair would have to keep going to match the rivalry he had with Federer, Nadal and Murray. "At the moment, that's hard, because they need to play against each for at least 10-plus years non-stop in order to be part of the same discussion," Djokovic added. "But they're definitely great for tennis, both of them. I think their rivalry is something our sport needs." Sinner said he and Alcaraz had a similar aura and could get more fans interested in the sport. "He's a player with charisma, with that aura," Sinner said. "The moment he steps on court, you can feel his presence. In the end, that's exactly what tennis needs. The more people like that, the more players like that, the better. "In the end, it's exactly those players who bring people closer to the sport and make them want to watch tennis." Sinner extended his winning streak in grand slams to 20 matches, after winning the US Open and the Australian Open. In the earlier semi-final, Alcaraz led 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 2-0 against Lorenzo Musetti when the eighth-seeded Italian retired with a leg injury. Alcaraz is attempting to become only the third man to retain his Roland Garros title this century, after Rafa Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten. Musetti twice denied Alcaraz the chance to break in the opening nine games before the 23-year-old suddenly dialled up the intensity and snatched the opening set when his Spanish opponent produced errors in a poor service game. A frustrated Alcaraz kicked his bench during the second set but finally found a way through Musetti's dogged defence to draw level after a tiebreak and then produced a dazzling display of power and precision to advance. "I'm feeling great physically. It's been three intense weeks but I have one more step to take. I'm playing great tennis and I have great confidence. I've been doing great things in this tournament and now is the time to give 100 per cent in the final." Jannik Sinner believes his battle for supremacy with fellow French Open finalist Carlos Alcaraz could become the defining rivalry of their era. And the world No.1 believes it is something the sport needs with its golden generation of players calling time on their careers. Sinner beat Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in a generational battle on Court Philippe Chatrier to deny his Serbian opponent a record 25th grand slam and leave him unsure whether he will ever return to Roland Garros, where he has won three major trophies. The 23-year-old Italian, who is seeking his fourth grand slam title, booked a mouth-watering meeting with his main rival Alcaraz, who will aim to retain his crown at Roland Garros and add a fifth major crown to his trophy cabinet. With Djokovic now the only active member of tennis's Big Four that also included Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray and yielded a collective 69 major titles in more than two decades, Sinner sensed an opportunity for himself and Alcaraz. "It takes time to compare us with the Big Three or Big Four, no? Only time can tell, to be honest," Sinner told reporters. "For sure, from my point of view, he's a player who makes me a better player. He pushes me to the limit. We try to understand where we have to improve, for the next times I play against him. "I believe that tennis or every sport needs rivalries. This could be potentially one of them, but there are amazing players coming up. There can be so many different and other players joining or one drops. You never know." Sunday's clash on Court Philippe Chatrier will mark only the 12th time Sinner and Alcaraz have faced off, with the 22-year-old Spaniard looking for a fifth straight victory over his opponent to successfully defend his title. Djokovic said the pair would have to keep going to match the rivalry he had with Federer, Nadal and Murray. "At the moment, that's hard, because they need to play against each for at least 10-plus years non-stop in order to be part of the same discussion," Djokovic added. "But they're definitely great for tennis, both of them. I think their rivalry is something our sport needs." Sinner said he and Alcaraz had a similar aura and could get more fans interested in the sport. "He's a player with charisma, with that aura," Sinner said. "The moment he steps on court, you can feel his presence. In the end, that's exactly what tennis needs. The more people like that, the more players like that, the better. "In the end, it's exactly those players who bring people closer to the sport and make them want to watch tennis." Sinner extended his winning streak in grand slams to 20 matches, after winning the US Open and the Australian Open. In the earlier semi-final, Alcaraz led 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 2-0 against Lorenzo Musetti when the eighth-seeded Italian retired with a leg injury. Alcaraz is attempting to become only the third man to retain his Roland Garros title this century, after Rafa Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten. Musetti twice denied Alcaraz the chance to break in the opening nine games before the 23-year-old suddenly dialled up the intensity and snatched the opening set when his Spanish opponent produced errors in a poor service game. A frustrated Alcaraz kicked his bench during the second set but finally found a way through Musetti's dogged defence to draw level after a tiebreak and then produced a dazzling display of power and precision to advance. "I'm feeling great physically. It's been three intense weeks but I have one more step to take. I'm playing great tennis and I have great confidence. I've been doing great things in this tournament and now is the time to give 100 per cent in the final." Jannik Sinner believes his battle for supremacy with fellow French Open finalist Carlos Alcaraz could become the defining rivalry of their era. And the world No.1 believes it is something the sport needs with its golden generation of players calling time on their careers. Sinner beat Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in a generational battle on Court Philippe Chatrier to deny his Serbian opponent a record 25th grand slam and leave him unsure whether he will ever return to Roland Garros, where he has won three major trophies. The 23-year-old Italian, who is seeking his fourth grand slam title, booked a mouth-watering meeting with his main rival Alcaraz, who will aim to retain his crown at Roland Garros and add a fifth major crown to his trophy cabinet. With Djokovic now the only active member of tennis's Big Four that also included Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray and yielded a collective 69 major titles in more than two decades, Sinner sensed an opportunity for himself and Alcaraz. "It takes time to compare us with the Big Three or Big Four, no? Only time can tell, to be honest," Sinner told reporters. "For sure, from my point of view, he's a player who makes me a better player. He pushes me to the limit. We try to understand where we have to improve, for the next times I play against him. "I believe that tennis or every sport needs rivalries. This could be potentially one of them, but there are amazing players coming up. There can be so many different and other players joining or one drops. You never know." Sunday's clash on Court Philippe Chatrier will mark only the 12th time Sinner and Alcaraz have faced off, with the 22-year-old Spaniard looking for a fifth straight victory over his opponent to successfully defend his title. Djokovic said the pair would have to keep going to match the rivalry he had with Federer, Nadal and Murray. "At the moment, that's hard, because they need to play against each for at least 10-plus years non-stop in order to be part of the same discussion," Djokovic added. "But they're definitely great for tennis, both of them. I think their rivalry is something our sport needs." Sinner said he and Alcaraz had a similar aura and could get more fans interested in the sport. "He's a player with charisma, with that aura," Sinner said. "The moment he steps on court, you can feel his presence. In the end, that's exactly what tennis needs. The more people like that, the more players like that, the better. "In the end, it's exactly those players who bring people closer to the sport and make them want to watch tennis." Sinner extended his winning streak in grand slams to 20 matches, after winning the US Open and the Australian Open. In the earlier semi-final, Alcaraz led 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 2-0 against Lorenzo Musetti when the eighth-seeded Italian retired with a leg injury. Alcaraz is attempting to become only the third man to retain his Roland Garros title this century, after Rafa Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten. Musetti twice denied Alcaraz the chance to break in the opening nine games before the 23-year-old suddenly dialled up the intensity and snatched the opening set when his Spanish opponent produced errors in a poor service game. A frustrated Alcaraz kicked his bench during the second set but finally found a way through Musetti's dogged defence to draw level after a tiebreak and then produced a dazzling display of power and precision to advance. "I'm feeling great physically. It's been three intense weeks but I have one more step to take. I'm playing great tennis and I have great confidence. I've been doing great things in this tournament and now is the time to give 100 per cent in the final."
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Novak Djokovic unsure about next year's French Open
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He refused, however, to commit to any tournaments beyond those two at this stage. "At the moment I will try to stick with the plan what I had, which is play the grand slams. Those tournaments are the priorities of my schedule," he said. "Wimbledon and US Open, yes, they are in plans. Those two, for sure. For the rest, I'm not so sure. "I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career," said Djokovic, who had been in pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title in Paris. He is currently tied at 24 for most majors won with Australian Margaret Court. "Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament. I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon to win another slam or faster hardcourt, maybe Australia or something like that," he said. "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. That's all I can say for the moment." Djokovic last lifted the Musketeers' Cup at the French Open in 2023. Novak Djokovic is yet to decide whether his French Open semi-final defeat against world No.1 Jannik Sinner would be his final appearance at Roland Garros. The 24-time grand slam winner and three-time French Open champion was beaten in straight sets after missing three set points in the third. "This could have been the last match ever I played here. I don't know," Serbian Djokovic told a press conference after losing 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3). "That's why I was a bit more emotional even in the end. "But if this was the farewell match at 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." The 38-year-old was given a standing ovation by a roaring crowd as he exited Court Philippe Chatrier, bending down to touch the clay and saluting the fans. He said he was planning to play at Wimbledon later this month as he is the US Open starting in August, with his focus firmly on the grand slams. He refused, however, to commit to any tournaments beyond those two at this stage. "At the moment I will try to stick with the plan what I had, which is play the grand slams. Those tournaments are the priorities of my schedule," he said. "Wimbledon and US Open, yes, they are in plans. Those two, for sure. For the rest, I'm not so sure. "I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career," said Djokovic, who had been in pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title in Paris. He is currently tied at 24 for most majors won with Australian Margaret Court. "Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament. I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon to win another slam or faster hardcourt, maybe Australia or something like that," he said. "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. That's all I can say for the moment." Djokovic last lifted the Musketeers' Cup at the French Open in 2023. Novak Djokovic is yet to decide whether his French Open semi-final defeat against world No.1 Jannik Sinner would be his final appearance at Roland Garros. The 24-time grand slam winner and three-time French Open champion was beaten in straight sets after missing three set points in the third. "This could have been the last match ever I played here. I don't know," Serbian Djokovic told a press conference after losing 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3). "That's why I was a bit more emotional even in the end. "But if this was the farewell match at 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." The 38-year-old was given a standing ovation by a roaring crowd as he exited Court Philippe Chatrier, bending down to touch the clay and saluting the fans. He said he was planning to play at Wimbledon later this month as he is the US Open starting in August, with his focus firmly on the grand slams. He refused, however, to commit to any tournaments beyond those two at this stage. "At the moment I will try to stick with the plan what I had, which is play the grand slams. Those tournaments are the priorities of my schedule," he said. "Wimbledon and US Open, yes, they are in plans. Those two, for sure. For the rest, I'm not so sure. "I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career," said Djokovic, who had been in pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title in Paris. He is currently tied at 24 for most majors won with Australian Margaret Court. "Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament. I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon to win another slam or faster hardcourt, maybe Australia or something like that," he said. "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. That's all I can say for the moment." Djokovic last lifted the Musketeers' Cup at the French Open in 2023. Novak Djokovic is yet to decide whether his French Open semi-final defeat against world No.1 Jannik Sinner would be his final appearance at Roland Garros. The 24-time grand slam winner and three-time French Open champion was beaten in straight sets after missing three set points in the third. "This could have been the last match ever I played here. I don't know," Serbian Djokovic told a press conference after losing 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3). "That's why I was a bit more emotional even in the end. "But if this was the farewell match at 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." The 38-year-old was given a standing ovation by a roaring crowd as he exited Court Philippe Chatrier, bending down to touch the clay and saluting the fans. He said he was planning to play at Wimbledon later this month as he is the US Open starting in August, with his focus firmly on the grand slams. He refused, however, to commit to any tournaments beyond those two at this stage. "At the moment I will try to stick with the plan what I had, which is play the grand slams. Those tournaments are the priorities of my schedule," he said. "Wimbledon and US Open, yes, they are in plans. Those two, for sure. For the rest, I'm not so sure. "I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career," said Djokovic, who had been in pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title in Paris. He is currently tied at 24 for most majors won with Australian Margaret Court. "Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament. I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon to win another slam or faster hardcourt, maybe Australia or something like that," he said. "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. That's all I can say for the moment." Djokovic last lifted the Musketeers' Cup at the French Open in 2023.
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