Novak Djokovic pulls out of French Open with injury
Source: Roland Garros
Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the French Open with a knee injury, ensuring that Jannik Sinner will become the new men’s world No.1 and a new Roland Garros champion will be crowned in Paris.
Djokovic aggravated a right knee problem during his five-set win over Francisco Cerundolo, which was reported less than 24 hours later on Tuesday to be a torn medial meniscus.
“Due to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee (discovered during an MRI scan performed today), Novak Djokovic, who was supposed to play Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals tomorrow, has been forced to withdraw from the Roland-Garros tournament,” Roland Garros organisers said.
The withdrawal means Australian star Alex de Minaur would play Norwegian seventh seed Ruud in Friday’s semi-finals should he beat Alexander Zverev in his quarter-final on Wednesday (local time).
Ruud, the two-time finalist, gets a bye through to the last-four in Djokovic’s absence.
Australian Open champion Sinner, just 22, will become the first Italian world No.1 when the new rankings are unveiled next week.
After beating Grigor Dimitrov 6-2 6-4 7-6 (7-3) to reach the semi-finals on Tuesday, Sinner had the news of his elevation to world No.1 broken to him on court by former French star Fabrice Santoro amid a standing ovation on Court Philippe Chatrier.
“What can I say? First of all, it’s every player’s dream to be number one in the world. In the other way, it’s disappointing for everyone that Novak is out and I wish him a speedy recovery,” he said.
Djokovic reported on Monday that his knee problem had been bothering him for a couple of weeks before he arrived at Roland Garros – although he kept it to himself until after the win against Cerundolo.
“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow – or after tomorrow, if I’ll be able to step out on the court and play,” the 37-year-old said.
“You know, I hope so. Let’s see what happens.”
Djokovic’s withdrawal means he is still without a tournament win in 2024 and his hopes of finally going past the record of 24 grand slam triumphs he shares with Margaret Court will have to be put on hold.
The injury could also mean he misses out on Wimbledon, where he was expected to shoot for an eighth title.
In his remarkable comeback win over Cerundolo – a record 370th victory in grand slam singles – Djokovic, who slipped and tweaked his knee in the second set, was unhappy about the slippery conditions. He complained afterwards that the court should have been cared for better to help players’ traction.
-AAP