Novak Djokovic’s semifinal defeat to Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros set the stage for an enduring image from the 2025 tournament.
As the legendary 38-year-old departed Court Philippe Chatrier to sustained applause, he dropped his bags and returned the applause, before kissing his hand and touching it to the clay as he resumed his exit.
PODCAST: Listen to this week's episode of The Tennis
Many interpreted this as a sign Djokovic was farewelling the tournament for good.
"This could have been the last match ever I played here. I don't know," Djokovic hinted in his subsequent press conference. "That's why I was a bit more emotional even in the end.
"But if this was the farewell match at the Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd."
Yet Australian tennis players Daria and Luke Saville are not so sure we’ve seen the last of Djokovic in Paris.
"I think he'll be there next year, I think he'll keep playing,” Luke said on this week’s episode of The Tennis, where he appeared alongside wife Daria.
Added Daria: "I kind of feel, yeah, that he'll be there. I don't think that's how he would wanna go out. I think he doesn't know where his body is at, he's just unsure... but I don't think he's there [at the end yet].
“It would be hard to know; how the hell do you even retire?”
Daria said her “favourite” retirements were those of Ash Barty and Flavia Pennetta, who both won singles majors just weeks before ending their careers.
She got the sense Djokovic was feeling less certain about his own future.
"Even the clips that the fans kind of post [on social media], where they translate it; like, he's really mean to himself, and he hasn't been doing that for a long, long time. I think he's stewing about a lot of things right now,” she observed.
“It'd be pretty hard going to every press [conference] and people asking him the same question, like: ‘How much longer? How many more?’ That's what people did to Serena.
“And the funny thing as a player, I don't think you know yourself.”
Luke retired this year at age 31, following his exit from the men’s doubles event at the Australian Open. His last match came at Rod Laver Arena, a venue where Djokovic has dominated.
“I mean, he's broken [pretty much] every single record there is,” he said.
“I sort of feel like watching him against Sinner [at Roland Garros], it was the first time I felt like he sort of didn't have that belief. I could be wrong.
“I think he feels like his level is still pretty good to get to semis and quarters and maybe a final of a Grand Slam, but probably he has to beat two of those guys [Sinner and Alcaraz] to win a Grand Slam going forward.
"He's going to be a real shot at Wimbledon, because of the grass. He's proved himself there.”
Listen to the latest episode of The Tennis with Xavier, Brie, and our panel of experts. New episode released each Thursday, with daily episodes throughout the Australian Open main draw. Subscribe today and take The Tennis with you wherever you go!