Novak Djokovic's journey at the French Open came to an unexpected halt as he withdrew from the tournament due to an injured knee. The defending champion and current world No. 1 cited a medial meniscus tear in his right knee as the reason for his withdrawal, a decision made after careful consideration and consultation with his team.
The extent of Djokovic's injury was revealed during an MRI exam following his fourth-round victory against Francisco Cerundolo. The match lasted over 4 1/2 hours and took a toll on Djokovic, who was set to face Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals. With Djokovic out of the competition, Ruud received a walkover into the semifinals.
The absence of Djokovic and the early elimination of Rafael Nadal means that a new champion will be crowned at Roland Garros this year. Among the contenders is Jannik Sinner, who secured a spot in the semifinals by defeating Grigor Dimitrov. Sinner is poised to take over the top spot in the ATP rankings next week.
Djokovic's injury comes at a challenging time in his season, where he has struggled to reach finals and secure titles. The Serbian player's future in upcoming tournaments, including Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics, remains uncertain as he focuses on his recovery.
Djokovic's injury concerns were evident during his matches at the French Open, where he voiced frustrations over the court conditions and the lack of traction. Despite his efforts to push through the pain and secure victories, the toll on his knee proved to be too much.
As Djokovic begins his recovery process, the tennis world awaits updates on his condition and potential return to competition. His absence from the French Open sets the stage for a new champion to emerge, marking a significant shift in the landscape of men's tennis.
