Djokovic: "If I am healthy and can maintain a certain level of physical condition, I always have options"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 22 May 2026 | 15.35

Djokovic: "If I am healthy and can maintain a certain physical level, I always have options." Photo: Gettyimages

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All eyes were on Novak Djokovic at the Media Day of Roland Garros 2026. The Serbian arrives in Paris with little clay court preparation, having suffered a defeat in his only match, but with the chance to win his 25th Grand Slam title following the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, although he would have to beat the best Jannik Sinner in a potential final.

The anticipation surrounding Djokovic's press conference was also due to the shadow of a possible Grand Slam boycott on the horizon, as well as the protest over a 15-minute limit on players' Media Day, something of which the Belgrade native was unaware. Nevertheless, he conveyed a message of unity among all tennis stakeholders to ensure the continued progress of this sport.

Arriving in Paris without match practice

"I have spent many hours on the court trying to refine my game and prepare my body to be physically and tennis-wise ready for best-of-five-set matches. I don't know if that will be enough for the entire tournament, whatever duration it is for me. The Grand Slams have been the top priority, especially in recent years. I always strive to reach my peak level to perform well in major tournaments. I am eager to step on the court and start competing."

Unaware of possible player protests at Roland Garros

"No, I'm not part of that. I can't comment on something I haven't been involved in. I have not taken part in the discussions, planning, or decision-making. So, honestly, I can't comment much. What I can do is reiterate my stance, which I have expressed many times throughout my career as a player, a role that has been my main focus in this sport for so many years."

"I have always been on the players' side, trying to defend their rights and a better future for them. But not just for the top players, but for all levels of the professional tennis circuit, especially the grassroots level. Lower-ranked players are often overlooked."

Emphasis on lower-ranked players

"We tend to, and by 'we,' I include the media and all elite tennis stakeholders, talk about prize money and how much the top stars earn or miss out on. But we forget how small the number of people who can make a living from this sport really is."

"I will never stop talking about this because it is the most important foundation of the professional circuit. If we want to safeguard the future of the sport and ensure that players not only survive but thrive, we must seriously discuss how to grow tennis from the grassroots level. And that is not just a matter of players expressing their discontent or satisfaction. It's everyone's responsibility: Grand Slams, organizations, circuits... everyone."

Novak Djokovic urges the tennis world to look at golf

"Tennis is already complex enough in its structure and regulations. Further fragmentation only harms us. Personally, I don't like to see that. We should also learn from golf. I believe it is a good example of a global individual sport that has gone through and is still experiencing organizational challenges, with divided circuits and players restricted to certain competitions."

"Let's learn from that. Let's try to be more united and find a common voice to build a better structure and a better future for tennis because I think now is the right time. It's not just about one or two things happening at this tournament. There is a lot of speculation and movement about changes within the sport. I think it's inevitable. Hopefully, we can do it with the least turbulence possible."

Reason for playing only one match since Indian Wells

"Honestly, it was a force majeure issue. I wanted to play more, but my body did not allow it. I was going through a rehabilitation process after my injury. After Indian Wells, it simply was not possible to compete for several months. That's why everything unfolded as it did. I wanted to go to Rome to test myself and see how I felt."

"I was far from being ready to compete, but I needed at least one match. I needed to hear the score again, feel the nerves of competition before coming to Roland Garros because at that moment, I didn't even know if I could play it. Luckily, the body's response and preparation have been positive in the last ten days. So here I am, and we will see what happens."

Alcaraz's absence increases title chances

"Well, he is the two-time defending champion at Roland Garros. Obviously, his absence is a significant loss for the tournament. But honestly, it doesn't change my focus too much. I have been through tough physical moments in the last six or eight months. That has been my main focus."

"I haven't thought much about whether I have a better chance without Carlos or not. Because I feel that if I am healthy and can maintain a certain physical level during the tournament, then I always have chances. It is clear that I won't have the same freshness at the beginning as I would at the end of the tournament. But if I can stay physically well and keep progressing, I believe I always have a great chance. I showed that this year in Australia, where I came close to winning another Grand Slam. I always have that belief when I step on the court."

Impressed by the shared record with Sinner

"I want to congratulate him again. I did so on social media, but again: it is an incredible achievement for him and his team. We have talked a lot about how impressive he is on all surfaces. Some may have doubted if he could be as dominant on clay as on hardcourts, but he has proven that he can. Being one of the two players in history to achieve the Golden Masters is extremely challenging. I know that perfectly well. So I congratulate him because it is a huge accomplishment. And he is still very young, he has a lot of time ahead."

"I think he is also aiming for the Golden Slam here, if I'm not mistaken. He is probably at the best moment of his career. And Alcaraz's absence further increases his chances of continuing to win Grand Slams. We are all here trying to beat him and prevent him from adding more titles."

Excited about Monfils' farewell

"He is a friend, a rival, and someone I have admired since we were 13 or 14 years old. It was a wonderful night, with an incredible atmosphere. He totally deserved that tribute. He insisted a lot that we play that game. It was the first time he did it, and it was a lot of fun for everyone."

"Gaël deserves all of that, not just as a tennis player, but as a person. He has touched the hearts of many people, and I think he has the respect of the entire male and female locker room, of all generations. I don't know anyone who doesn't like Gaël. He is one of my favorite players to watch, with incredible athleticism. I am looking forward to seeing him compete for the last time here at Roland Garros."

On the need to evolve towards a more aggressive tennis

"I think it is something natural, logical, and rational. I try more and more to step into the court, take the ball earlier, and take more risks. I am not getting any younger, that's for sure. The body now suffers more in long matches, and the recovery is not as fast as before. I know that must be my tactical plan, especially in big matches. It's not always easy to execute."

"The issue is that I have always had a lot of confidence in my defense, and sometimes that works against me because I end up running more than I should and put more strain on my body. But it's something I am working on: attacking short balls, taking the ball early, and putting pressure on the opponent. And when it works, it helps a lot. The truth is, since I was a child, I was taught to play close to the line and take the ball on the rise. Maybe I didn't play like that throughout my whole career, but I always tried to be the player who dictated the point," concludes Novak Djokovic, who remains hopeful and hungry to achieve his 25th Grand Slam. Will it be at Roland Garros?

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic: "Si estoy sano y puedo mantener cierto nivel físico, siempre tengo opciones"