Novak Djokovic, looking for his elusive 25th grand slam to become the most decorated tennis player ever, is not sure about his health and fitness for the French Open 2026. Djokovic shared the uncertainty following his second round defeat in Italian Open on Friday (May 8). Djokovic lost 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic. The 20-year-old did well to tire out Djokovic and win the match despite losing the first set. The 38-year-old Serb, who had played on Australian Open earlier this year before the Italian Open, has not won a grand slam since US Open 2023 – his record equalling 24th major title.
Speaking about his loss to Prizmic, Djokovic conceded: “It’s not an ideal preparation, to be honest. I don’t recall the last time I had in the last couple of years a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament. There’s always something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with. It is frustrating. At the same time it’s my decision to still perform in that kind of state and conditions. It is what it is.”
The Serb is arguably the best player ever to set foot on a tennis court and record 24 grand slam titles – the most by any male player – are a testimony to his greatness. In 2023, Djokovic won Australian Open, French Open, and the US Open as well but has been horribly out of form since then. The age hasn’t made his life easier either with the Serb facing multiple injuries and giving walkovers in the grand slams in the last two years. Should he retire – it is a question for him to answer and the general consensus is that he might call it a day after winning the 25th grand slam title and etching his name forever as the most successful tennis player ever.