Novak Djokovic's French Open Run Ends in Semis, But His Legacy Continues

Novak Djokovic's 2025 French Open campaign came to a close in the semi-finals, where he was defeated in straight sets by world No 1 Jannik Sinner. Although his victory over Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals was a display of enduring brilliance, the loss to Sinner marks a potential turning point in the Serbian star's illustrious career.

Djokovic's Tactical Mastery and Adaptability

Djokovic's path to the semi-finals was a testament to his tactical sharpness and physical resilience. In his quarter-final match against Zverev, he lost the opening set but quickly adjusted his strategy to turn the match around, ultimately winning 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4. Utilising a combination of 35 drop shots and effective net play, winning 27 out of 37 net points, Djokovic exploited Zverev's positioning and disrupted his rhythm.

This adaptability, especially in windy conditions, once again demonstrated Djokovic's capacity to shift gears mid-match. His ability to vary return placement, control the pace and introduce nuanced shot selections continues to distinguish him as one of the sport's great strategists.

The win marked his 101st career victory at Roland-Garros, placing him behind only Rafael Nadal in the tournament's history. He also extended his record to 51 Grand Slam semi-final appearances, underlining the consistency of his performance at the highest level.

Defeat by Sinner Signals Changing Guard

In the semi-final, however, Djokovic met an opponent in peak form. Jannik Sinner, riding a 19-match Grand Slam winning streak and without dropping a set during the tournament, defeated Djokovic 6–4, 7–5, 7–6(3) on 6 June. It was a commanding performance that showcased the 23-year-old Italian's power, precision and composure under pressure.

The match also extended Sinner's head-to-head lead over Djokovic to 5–4, having now beaten the Serb in four consecutive encounters. Remarkably, it was the first time since Wimbledon 2010 that Djokovic lost a Grand Slam match in straight sets, suggesting that even the most enduring champions are not immune to time.

Following the match, Djokovic acknowledged Sinner's form and hinted that this might be his final appearance at Roland-Garros. While he confirmed intentions to compete at Wimbledon and the US Open later this year, he admitted he had not decided on whether he would return to Paris in 2026.

Sinner advanced to face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling final that has already been called one of the greatest in French Open history. Alcaraz prevailed in a five-set epic: 4–6, 6–7(4), 6–4, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(10–2). The match, which lasted five hours and 29 minutes, became the longest men's final in the tournament's history.

Alcaraz's win has confirmed his dominance on clay and positioned him as the new standard-bearer in men's tennis - a true tennis feat! At just 22 years old, he now holds three Grand Slam titles and has established himself as the likely heir to the so-called 'Big Three' era.

While Djokovic fell short of claiming a record-extending 25th Grand Slam, his French Open run reaffirmed his place in tennis history. At 38, he became the oldest man to reach the semi-finals in Paris since Pancho Gonzales in 1968. His continued competitiveness at this level is due in part to his rigorous attention to fitness, recovery and match preparation.