Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Novak Djokovic delivered a notably blunt and uncertain set of answers after his French Open 2026 exit, offering little clarity on whether fans will see him again at Roland Garros. Following his dramatic five-set defeat to Joo Fonseca, Djokovic was asked if he would return next year. He replied simply, “I don’t know,” giving away nothing about his plans for Roland Garros next season.
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“Novak, will we see you back at Roland Garros next year?” a journalist asked during the press conference after his loss to Fonseca.
“I don’t know,” Djokovic replied.
When pressed further on whether this could have been his final appearance at Roland Garros against a top opponent, Djokovic again avoided giving a firm answer.
“Would it be okay if that was your last match against a player like that?” another journalist asked.
“I don’t know,” Djokovic said once more.
Journalists also pointed to the wider tournament context, noting the absence of Carlos Alcaraz and the early exit of Jannik Sinner, asking whether it opened up his chances of chasing a 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic quickly shut down the speculation.
“With Carlos Alcaraz sidelined and Jannik (Sinner) losing yesterday, did your mind begin to sort of dance and dream and think about the rest?” a journalist asked.
“I’ll stop you right there. No. Just lost our ground. Let’s just talk about something else,” Djokovic replied, refusing to entertain title-dream narratives.
HOW FONSECA STUNNED 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 nearly five hours of intense clay-court battle, marking one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
Fonseca produced a remarkable comeback after being two sets down, becoming only the second player in Roland Garros history to defeat Djokovic from that position in a Grand Slam, matching the rare feat first achieved by Jurgen Melzer in 2010.
The Brazilian teenager also made history by winning his first-ever five-set Grand Slam match, showing extraordinary resilience under pressure. At just 19, he became one of the youngest players in the Open Era to defeat Djokovic at a major, showing 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 contest, and maintaining composure after trailing 1-3 in the final set.
While Djokovic’s wait for a Grand Slam title, which has continued since the US Open 2023, stretched on, Fonseca progressed to the pre-quarterfinals, where he is set to face Casper Ruud.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
