More questions than answers: Djokovic leaves wondering if he will play the French Open for the last time

Novak Djokovic’s Roland Garros campaign has come to an abrupt end, leaving fans in doubt about his future. (AP photo) PARIS: Novak Djokovic fielded three questions at Friday night’s post-match press conference at Roland Garros. The responses were brief but revealing in what they refused to say. Will we see you back at Roland Garros next year? Djokovic: “I don’t know.” Would it be okay if this was your last match? “I don’t know.” When Carlos was eliminated and Jannik lost, did your mind start thinking about the rest? “I don’t care. I’ll stop you right there.”The twenty-four-time Grand Slam champion had no appetite for questions. They were direct and uncomfortable, much like the challenge he faced on court in the third round of the French Open against 19-year-old Joao Fonseca. Djokovic looked in control for long stretches, leading by two sets and later holding a 3-1 lead in the decisive fifth set. Even deep into the match, in the fourth set, he looked ready to regain command, 4-3 and holding two break points at 15-40.It is only the second time he has lost a match in straight sets. His only previous defeat was in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in 2010, when he lost to Jurgen Melzer. In the fifth hour of a Grand Slam match, body and mind are rarely separate forces. As Djokovic’s legs grew heavy, the confidence that had been the foundation of his tennis began to disappear.For all the questions about the resilience of the 39-year-old’s body, Friday’s defeat to Fonseca felt like a fight lost in mind as much as in muscle. That was the blow Djokovic took at the post-match press conference. Fonseca, who had 11 aces in the match, including five in the fifth set, said: “When I won the fourth set, I was already tired. The fifth set was full of heart. I couldn’t even think. I was just trying to go.”Both men were tired. Even so, only one of them was 39. Djokovic, who is playing only his fourth tournament of the year, said: “Considering I was injured for three months trying to come back, I went almost straight into a Grand Slam on this surface, which is very challenging and will take more time for me to find my groove.” Looking back at the important moments, could I have done anything differently? You know, you can always say yes, but you just have to tell him, you’re doing him good.”