Novak Djokovic told he’s currently dealing with the same issue as Serena Williams following his latest Grand Slam defeat

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Novak Djokovic suffered a disappointing defeat in the semi-finals of the 2025 French Open.

The Serbian star made a strong start at Roland Garros, advancing to the quarterfinals without dropping a set.

There, he produced another memorable Grand Slam quarterfinal win when Djokovic beat Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

He was met with the world number one in the semi-finals, as Jannik Sinner put an end to Djokovic’s French Open campaign in straight sets.

During his post-match press conference, Djokovic suggested he may not return to Roland Garros in 2026.

Reacting to those comments, an active member of the WTA Tour suggested Djokovic may currently be suffering from the same issue Serena Williams dealt with a few years ago.

Novak Djokovic might grow tired of answering retirement questions just as Serena Williams did

Appearing on the Australian Open YouTube channel, world number 129 Daria Saville explained what is happening to Djokovic right now, which may frustrate him.

“It’s pretty hard going to every press [conference] and hearing people asking him the same questions. How much longer? How many more?” she said.

“That’s what people did to Serena [Williams]. The funny thing as a player is I don’t think you know yourself.”

23-time Major champion Williams was bombarded with retirement questions during the latter stages of her career, before she finally called it quits after the 2022 US Open.

Saville went on to predict whether fans will see Djokovic return to Roland Garros in 2026.

“I kind of feel that he’ll be there, I don’t think that’s how he’d want to go out. I think he doesn’t know where his body is. He’s just unsure, but I don’t think he’s there,” she said.

“It would be hard to know, how the hell do you even retire? My favorite retirement was Ash [Barty], that was pretty cool.”

Her husband, Luke Saville, agreed, as he expects to see the three-time champion compete at the 2026 French Open.

“It’s an interesting one, I feel like he’s recently seen his rivals retiring, and he’s almost looking for a bit of love from the crowd and the spectators. He’s almost feeling like Roland Garros is maybe that opportunity, he likes that crowd, that’s sort of how I read all of it,” he said.

“I think he’ll be there next year.”

Saville, a former Grand Slam finalist in doubles, thinks he saw something change in Djokovic’s demeanour during his defeat to Sinner in the semi-finals.

“I sort of felt, watching him against [Jannik] Sinner, it was the first time that I felt like he didn’t have that belief,” he said.

“I could be wrong, but just watching him, I feel like there was a realisation from him that he can’t compete at this level, with those top two anymore.

“I know he beat [Carlos] Alcaraz in the Olympic final match, but I feel like he knows his level is pretty good to get to the semis, quarters, and maybe a final of a Grand Slam, but he probably has to beat two of those guys to win a Grand Slam going forward.

“He’s going to have a real shot at Wimbledon, on the grass, he’s definitely proved himself there, but I just felt like maybe he’s lost a little bit of that belief.”

A seven-time winner at the All England Club, Djokovic would no doubt love to add an eighth title to his collection when he travels to London later this month.

The one record Novak Djokovic hasn’t broken in tennis

Saville listed some of Djokovic’s career achievements, highlighting the one record he has yet to break.

“24 Slams, he’s got that sewn up, won every event there is, all the Masters, the most Masters series, weeks at number one,” he said.

“He’s broken every single record there is, I see here, he’s just won 100 titles.

“[Jimmy] Connors has the record on 109, so maybe he’s going to look for that one. He might just play a bunch of 250s and try and get that and then retire.”

One week before the French Open began, Djokovic beat Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open to win his 100th ATP Tour title.

Winning title number 100 saw Djokovic close within nine of Connors’ record, and three of Roger Federer’s tally.

Not scheduled to appear in any Wimbledon warm-up tournaments, Djokovic will look to win his 101st title when Grand Slam tennis resumes on Monday, June 30.