Novak Djokovic has cast doubts over his future once more after his stunning French Open defeat by Joao Fonseca.
The Serb, who was chasing a 25th career Grand Slam title in Paris, surrendered a two-set lead on Court Philippe-Chatrier, crashing out to the rising star of the men’s game, 19-year-old Fonseca.
The Brazilian 28th seed produced a remarkable fightback to book his place in the last 16, where he will play American Tommy Paul, who defeated former finalist Casper Ruud.
Djokovic, who was beaten 4-6 4-6 6-3 7-5 7-5, said afterwards that he was unsure if defeat to Fonseca would prove to be his final match at Roland-Garros.
"I don't know," he replied when asked if he had played his last match on the Paris dirt. He repeated himself when asked if he would be happy to end his Roland-Garros career on a loss.
In falling at the third hurdle, Djokovic registered his worst Grand Slam exit since the 2024 US Open.
"It's tough to reflect on this right now," the three-time champion continued on his French Open legacy.
“There were a couple of times where I felt like I was barely standing on my legs towards the end of the match, and looking at the crowd and seeing them lift my spirits and support me was something really magical.
"So when I take out all the disappointment and negative thoughts about the match, there's a lot to be proud about, what I've been through, what I experienced. I'm very grateful for this kind of experience."
It was as recently as Indian Wells, back in March, when the 39-year-old was asked once more whether he would retire any time soon.
He was beaten in the fourth round by Jack Draper, who was defending his title in the California desert.
"Why stop as long as I still have the fire, the flair, the quality and the motivation?” he replied.
Djokovic, sat at world No4 in the ATP rankings, most recently won a Grand Slam at the US Open back in 2023, struggling to topple the newly-dominant duo of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the latter who has beaten the Serb at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
Djokovic had fast become the hot favourite to claim a fourth French Open title after Sinner’s shock second-round exit at the hands of Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and Alcaraz’s wrist injury preventing the Spaniard from defending his title.
As such, Djokovic’s exit means that all those left in the men’s draw have never won a major title, and there will be a new name on the Coupe des Mousquetaires.
