Novak Djokovic hopes 'to be ready for Roland-Garros' as shoulder injury threatens tilt at 25th Grand Slam title

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Novak Djokovic hopes "to be ready" for the 2026 French Open as he struggles with an injury which has kept him out of action for over a month.

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The 24-time Grand Slam champion last played at Indian Wells last month, where he was beaten in the fourth round by Jack Draper.

Since then, Djokovic withdrew from the Monte-Carlo Masters and missed both the Miami Open and Madrid Open as he battles a right shoulder injury.

Speaking at the 2026 Laureus Awards on Monday - Djokovic was a co-host alongside skiing star Eileen Gu - the 38-year-old told reporters that his aim is to return to the court at Roland-Garros.

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Every court in southern Paris will be available live on TNT Sports and HBO Max, from May 24.

"Yes, I can't participate in the Mutua tournament [Madrid Open], but I'm here in Madrid again, which I really like," Djokovic said.

"Obviously, this event here tonight is one of my favourite events of the year because I have the opportunity to interact with all the legends of the other sport.

"I also have a different role this year with Eileen Gu; we're presenting, which is really nice. I have an injury and I hope to be ready at least for Roland-Garros."

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The Serbian had been expected to continue his build-up to the French Open at the Italian Open in Rome, running between May 6 and 17, but his comments throw those plans into doubt.

The shoulder injury has meant Djokovic has endured a stop-start 2026 campaign, having lost in the final of the Australian Open earlier this year.

Djokovic has been open about his desire to be selective about the tournaments he competes in as he attempts to win what would be a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

His last major came at the 2023 US Open, where he beat Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.

He reached the semi-finals of every Grand Slam in 2025, losing to Jannik Sinner twice, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.

Speaking after his defeat to Draper at Indian Wells, Djokovic alluded to those injury struggles, saying: "It’s a bit odd, the more I serve, the better I feel, but then it comes on and off if I get cold.

"If I don’t serve for five or six minutes, then I feel like the first couple of serves of that game are a bit painful."

Djokovic is a five-time World Sportsman of the Year winner at the Laureus Awards, and saw Alcaraz win the award for the first time on Monday. His long-time friend, Aryna Sabalenka, claimed the Sportswoman of the Year award.

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Alcaraz has also revealed his participation in the French Open is in doubt as he struggles with a wrist injury.

Should both Alcaraz and Djokovic both not take to the court in Paris, the world No. 2 and No. 4 will be absent from the men's draw, setting up what would be an intriguing two weeks of action.

TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to watch live on HBO Max.

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