Djokovic: I’ll Be Ready for Roland Garros

By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Photo credit: Laureus Sports Awards Facebook

Tennis history stood shoulder-to-shoulder in Madrid.

Grand Slam King Novak Djokovic, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz convened for a snap shot of tennis super powers at the Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday night.

The shoulder is in the spotlight with Roland Garros looming next month.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who co-hosted the Awards with Olympian Eileen Gu, withdrew from this week’s Mutua Madrid Open to rest and rehab a shoulder issue.

Djokovic declared “I’ll be ready” when asked his status for next month’s Roland Garros.

While the former world No. 1 said he hopes to return to play Rome next month, his participation in the Eternal City depends on the state of his shoulder. Rome begins on May 6th.

“I hope so” Djokovic said of a possible Rome return “I’m training to play in Rome. But I can’t make a prediction now, because it depends on the evolution of the injury.

“But for Roland-Garros, I’ll be ready.” 

Three-time Roland Garros champion Djokovic is poised for a 22nd appearance in Paris. A year ago, Djokovic reached the Roland Garros semifinals falling to Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic has reached the French Open quarterfinals or better for 16 straight years.

Roland Garros represents a historic crossroads this year. Alcaraz aims to defend Roland Garros and if he does, he will be halfway to a calendar Grand Slam. Sinner, who failed to convert championship points vs. Alcaraz in the 2025 final, is playing for his maiden Roland Garros championship. Djokovic is competing for a record-extending 25 Grand Slam championship.