After withdrawing from the French Open, Novak Djokovic was asked about his future. The Serb was blunt
Novak Djokovic gave a remarkably blunt and uncertain set of answers following his exit from the 2026 French Open, leaving it unclear whether fans would see him again at Roland Garros. After a dramatic five-set defeat to Joo Fonseca, Djokovic was asked if he would return next year. He answered simply, “I don’t know,” revealing nothing about his plans for next season’s Roland Garros.
“Novak, see you back at Roland Garros next year?” asked a journalist at a press conference after his loss to Fonseca.
“I don’t know,” Djokovic replied.
When asked further if this could be his last appearance at Roland Garros against a top opponent, Djokovic again avoided a firm answer.
“Would it be okay if this was your last match against such a player?” asked another journalist.
“I don’t know,” Djokovic said once more.
“I don’t know”
Novak Djokovic was in no mood to discuss his future after an epic five-set defeat to Joo Fonseca at Roland-Garros. pic.twitter.com/avPkNpfKCT— TNT Sports (@tntsports) May 29, 2026
Journalists also pointed to the wider context of the tournament, noting the absence of Carlos Alcaraz and the early departure of Jannik Sinner, and asked whether it opened up his chances of chasing a 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic quickly put an end to the speculation.
“When Carlos Alcaraz was shut down and Jannik (Sinner) lost yesterday, did your mind kind of start dancing and dreaming and thinking about the rest?” asked the journalist.
“I’m going to stop you right now. No. We just lost ground. Let’s talk about something else,” Djokovic replied, refusing to entertain the title and dream narrative.
HOW FONSECA BREAKED DJOKOVIC
On Friday, Djokovic suffered a stunning defeat to 19-year-old Brazilian sensation Fonseca in a dramatic five-set thriller on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The match ended 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 after almost five hours of intense battle on the claywhich means one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.
Fonseca made a remarkable comeback after taking two sets to become only the second player in Roland Garros history to defeat Djokovic from this position at a Grand Slam, equaling the rare feat first accomplished by Jurgen Melzer in 2010.
The Brazilian teenager also made history by winning his first ever five-set Grand Slam match and showing extraordinary resilience under pressure. At just 19, he became one of the youngest Open Era players to beat Djokovic at a major, signaling the arrival of a new generation on the biggest stage.
Fonseca’s key records in the match included saving crucial break points in the fifth set, firing three consecutive aces to close out the match, and keeping his composure after trailing 1-3 in the final set.
As Djokovic’s wait for a Grand Slam title, which runs from the 2023 US Open, dragged on, Fonseca advanced to the pre-quarterfinals where he will face Casper Ruud.
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
30 May 2026 11:18 IST