Will Djokovic play at the French Open again?

Djokovic said he does not know whether he will return to Roland-Garros next year. When asked twice if he would be back, he replied: 'I don't know.' His comments suggest uncertainty about his future at the tournament, though he has not announced any retirement plans.

How did Fonseca win the match?

Fonseca mounted a dramatic comeback from two sets down, winning 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 after nearly five hours. Djokovic held a commanding position after taking the first two sets but could not close out the match as Fonseca raised his level significantly in the final three sets.

What does this loss mean for Djokovic's Grand Slam record?

Djokovic remains on 24 Grand Slam titles, having not won a major since the 2023 US Open. This loss at Roland-Garros, where he had a realistic chance to reach 25 majors given the absences of top contenders Sinner and Alcaraz, may have cost him his best remaining opportunity.

Djokovic's French Open Exit Leaves His Roland-Garros Future in Doubt

Darren Leung

ATP, WTA, rankings

Published May 29, 2026Last updated June 15, 2026

atp grand-slam

Novak Djokovic lost to Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in the French Open third round on Friday, surrendering a two-set lead after nearly five hours. The 39-year-old told reporters he was unsure whether he would play at Roland-Garros again, marking his worst French Open exit since 2009 and ending his 24-major drought.

Key facts

Joao Fonseca defeated Novak Djokovic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in the French Open third round, recovering from a two-set deficit after nearly five hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier. (source)
Djokovic's third-round exit is his earliest at Roland-Garros since 2009, when he lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first round. (source)
The 39-year-old Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam titles and has not won a major since the 2023 US Open, remaining stuck on that total. (source)
Fonseca, 19 years old and seeded 28th, will face American Tommy Paul in the fourth round of the French Open. (source)
Djokovic's loss marks the first time in the Open Era that a former Grand Slam champion has not reached the men's singles last 16 at a major tournament. (source)

Novak Djokovic's quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title ended in a third-round loss to 19-year-old Joao Fonseca at Roland-Garros on Friday, leaving the Serbian uncertain about his future at the tournament. Fonseca mounted a dramatic comeback to defeat Djokovic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 after nearly five hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier, according to FlashscoreUSA. When asked if he would return to Paris next year, Djokovic twice replied: "I don't know."

Why Djokovic's exit matters

This is Djokovic's earliest exit at Roland-Garros since 2009, when he lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first round. The 39-year-old three-time French Open champion has been stuck on 24 Grand Slam titles since the 2023 US Open, and this loss may have cost him his best remaining opportunity to reach 25. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner suffered a surprise early exit, and two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was absent due to injury, according to beIN SPORTS.

Fonseca's breakthrough performance

The Brazilian 28th seed produced a sensational fightback from two sets down, demonstrating the level of play that has generated significant expectations around him despite inconsistency earlier this season. Djokovic acknowledged Fonseca's quality after the match, telling him he "deserved to win and played an unbelievable match," according to FlashscoreUSA. Fonseca will face American Tommy Paul in the fourth round.

Djokovic's uncertain future

The loss marked Djokovic's 49th five-set match at a Grand Slam, equalling Stan Wawrinka's record for the most in the Open Era, according to beIN SPORTS. As he left the court, Djokovic made a heart gesture to the crowd. When pressed about his performance, he declined to discuss what might have been, saying: "I don't care. I don't care. I'll stop you right there. No. Just lost third round. Let's just talk about something else."

The French Open men's singles will now crown a first-time Grand Slam champion for the first time in nine consecutive majors, ending a run dominated by Sinner and Alcaraz.

Sources

FlashscoreUSA: Djokovic unsure if he'll ever play French Open again after dramatic loss to Fonseca. Published 2026-05-29.
The Standard: Djokovic drops fresh retirement hint after shock French Open exit. Published 2026-05-29.
beIN SPORTS: French Open: Djokovic unsure whether he will play at Roland-Garros again. Published 2026-05-29.

Reported from public sources.

Frequently asked questions

Will Djokovic play at the French Open again?: Djokovic said he does not know whether he will return to Roland-Garros next year. When asked twice if he would be back, he replied: 'I don't know.' His comments suggest uncertainty about his future at the tournament, though he has not announced any retirement plans.
How did Fonseca win the match?: Fonseca mounted a dramatic comeback from two sets down, winning 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 after nearly five hours. Djokovic held a commanding position after taking the first two sets but could not close out the match as Fonseca raised his level significantly in the final three sets.
What does this loss mean for Djokovic's Grand Slam record?: Djokovic remains on 24 Grand Slam titles, having not won a major since the 2023 US Open. This loss at Roland-Garros, where he had a realistic chance to reach 25 majors given the absences of top contenders Sinner and Alcaraz, may have cost him his best remaining opportunity.