Novak Djokovic pulled out of the French Open before his quarterfinal match. He has a knee injury. Djokovic got an MRI scan on his knee on Tuesday. He hurt his knee during his fourth round win on Monday. Djokovic blamed the slippery clay courts at Roland Garros for making his injury worse. He was the defending champion and top seed. He officially withdrew from the tournament on Tuesday.
Djokovic is 37 years old. He was supposed to play Casper Ruud next. Ruud is from Norway. He is the 7th seed. They were going to play on Wednesday.
The MRI scan showed Djokovic tore something in his right knee. It is called the medial meniscus.
Djokovic said, “I am really sad to pull out.” He said, “My team and I had to make a hard choice. We thought about it carefully.”
The injury means Djokovic cannot win his 25th Grand Slam title in Paris. That would have been a new record.
After the French Open, Djokovic will no longer be number one in the world rankings. Jannik Sinner from Italy will become number one.
We don’t know yet if Djokovic will get better in time for Wimbledon. He has won Wimbledon 7 times before.
Wimbledon starts on July 1st. The Olympics in Paris start on July 27th at the same place as the French Open.
Djokovic has never won an Olympic gold medal. He really wants to win one this year.
How Djokovic’s injury drama unfolded
Before his match on Monday, Djokovic had tape on his right knee. He needed treatment on that same leg early in the second set.
Djokovic told the physio he “messed up” his knee. He said “I keep slipping and sliding.”
He took pain medicine. He called the physio to his chair a few more times during the match.
Even so, Djokovic came back to win. The scores were 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. The match lasted over 4 and a half hours. Djokovic showed he can recover well.
Before his match on Monday, Djokovic had tape on his right knee. He needed treatment on that same leg early in the second set.
Djokovic told the physio he “messed up” his knee. He said “I keep slipping and sliding.”
He took pain medicine. He called the physio to his chair a few more times during the match.
Even so, Djokovic came back to win. The scores were 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. The match lasted over 4 and a half hours. Djokovic showed he can recover well.
A new men’s champion will be crowned
Ruud gets into the semifinals without playing. He will face either Zverev or de Minaur.
Djokovic has to leave. This means there will be a new French Open men’s champion.
Sinner will play Alcaraz or Tsitsipas in the other semifinal.
Sinner is 22 years old. He learned about Djokovic leaving right after beating Dimitrov.
Sinner said, “It is sad Djokovic had to retire. I hope he gets better soon.”
Final Thoughts
Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal from the French Open is a pivotal moment in this year’s tournament. As the defending champion and top seed, his exit due to a knee injury reshapes the competition and underscores the unpredictable nature of sports. Djokovic’s knee troubles, exacerbated by the slippery clay courts at Roland Garros, forced him to make the tough decision to withdraw, prioritizing his health over the pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. His departure not only impacts the French Open but also casts uncertainty over his participation in Wimbledon and the Olympics, where he aims to achieve his first gold medal.
This turn of events opens up new opportunities for other players, like Casper Ruud, who advances to the semifinals without playing. Djokovic’s absence adds intrigue and unpredictability to the tournament, promising an exciting finish as the remaining competitors vie for the title. Despite this setback, Djokovic’s determination and sportsmanship continue to inspire fans and the tennis community. We hope for his swift recovery and a triumphant return to the court, with the journey towards Wimbledon and the Olympics being closely watched as he continues to pursue his illustrious career goals.