GENEVA — Novak Djokovic will defend his French Open title in Paris nonetheless with no trophy this season after dropping within the Geneva Open semifinals Friday.
The Forty fourth-ranked Tomas Machac beat Djokovic 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 within the final clay-court occasion to arrange for Roland Garros, the place primary draw play begins Sunday.
“In fact I’m apprehensive. I have never been enjoying good in any respect this 12 months,” Djokovic mentioned.
His file in 2024 dropped to 14-6 general and 0-3 in semifinals, together with on the Australian Open in opposition to Jannik Sinner.
“I do not take into account myself a favourite there,” the top-ranked Serb mentioned of his possibilities at Roland Garros, the place he has received two of the previous three titles and three general amongst his males’s file 24 Grand Slam singles titles. “I will take it match by match and see how far I can go.”
Machac took his first match-point likelihood, which got here on Djokovic’s serve, and clinched when Djokovic pushed a backhand lengthy.
It was the fifth time Djokovic had his service damaged, and he additionally made 27 unforced errors.
“In case you play in opposition to Novak, you simply hope and attempt to play your finest and see the way it seems,” Machac mentioned in an on-court interview.
Djokovic warmly greeted the Czech participant on the web and smiled as he walked off court docket, applauding the followers.
Djokovic took a medical timeout after the primary set for a abdomen difficulty.
“It was a horrible feeling with abdomen and well being at the moment. It was not an important evening and at the moment as properly,” he mentioned. “I do not wish to take something away from his win. He deserved it.”
Machac will play his first tour ultimate Saturday in opposition to two-time Geneva champion Casper Ruud, the French Open runner-up for the previous two years, or the unseeded Flavio Cobolli. Their semifinal didn’t begin on time due to a prolonged rain delay.