Djokovic Falls Short Against Sinner at French Open

PARIS, France — Novak Djokovic‘s quest for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title ended in the semifinals of the French Open on June 8, 2025. The 38-year-old star lost to Jannik Sinner in straight sets, giving him his first defeat at Roland Garros since 2022.

Djokovic, a 24-time Major champion, had reached the semifinals without losing a single set. However, he fell to Sinner with scores of 4-6, 5-7, 6-7, leaving fans and analysts questioning his future in the sport.

Former tennis star Sam Querrey weighed in on Djokovic’s performance during the latest episode of the Nothing Major podcast. He expressed doubts about Djokovic’s ability to win another Major against the current top players, stating, “I don’t think Novak can win a Major if he has to beat Carlos [Alcaraz] and [Jannik] Sinner.”

Querrey noted that he believes Djokovic might fare better against Alcaraz, citing the latter’s capacity for inconsistency in matches. Querrey said, “He needs one of them to get upset by someone, if that can happen.”

Querrey’s co-host shared optimism about Djokovic’s potential performance at Wimbledon, suggesting that playing on grass could suit him better due to the nature of the game’s pace at that surface.

<p“On clay, he is running because these guys are so good,” he added, implying that Djokovic faces tougher competition now than in previous years.

Historically, Djokovic has faced tough opponents like Sinner and Alcaraz, with a current record of 4-4 against both at Grand Slam events. Still, the Serb’s recent performance has raised eyebrows, having lost four of his last five Grand Slam matches to these young stars.

Querrey’s comments reflect a broader concern in the tennis community about how Djokovic can reclaim his dominance. The American emphasized the significance of Wimbledon, which starts on June 30, for determining Djokovic’s standings moving forward.

As the tennis landscape shifts, Alcaraz and Sinner seem to be continuing the legacy of past legends like Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, who used to dominate the Grand Slam scene. Time will tell if Djokovic can navigate the challenges ahead and capture his 25th title amid rising competition.