Roland Garros 2025: Novak Djokovic Bids Emotional Goodbye To Crowd After Loss To Jannik Sinner In Semi-Final, Says 'Could Have Been...'

24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic bid an emotional goodbye to the crowd in France after his defeat to Jannik Sinner in the Roland Garros 2025 semi-final. A video of the same surfaced on social media as Djokovic touched the clay surface as a mark of respect and hinted at not coming back to French Open again.

The Serbian suffered his second loss to Sinner in Grand Slam matches as the 23-year-old sealed his place in the final with 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) victory and will face Carlos Alcaraz for the title. A victory in the final would have made the 38-year-old the oldest grand slam champion.

Watch the below video as Djokovic touches the Court Philippe Chatrier before waving goodbye to the spectators:

Speaking after the game, the veteran said the reception from the crowd has been unforgettable, stating, as quoted by BBC Sport:

"This could have been the last match ever I played here - I don't know. That's why it was a bit more emotional at the end. But if this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd."

"I feel like I want to play those two" - Novak Djokovic on his future

Djokovic went on to hint at his uncertainty at playing in grand slams after 2025, asserting that US Open and Wimbledon are well within his sights. He added:

"Those tournaments are the priorities of my schedule. Wimbledon and US Open, yes, they are in plans. That's all I can say right now. I feel like I want to play those two, for sure. For the rest, I'm not so sure."

Published on: Saturday, June 07, 2025, 09:08 AM IST