Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1 in tennis, has been forced to withdraw from the French Open quarterfinals due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. The injury was revealed by an MRI scan conducted on Tuesday, just before his scheduled match against Casper Ruud.
Djokovic’s withdrawal marks a significant turn of events in the tournament, as he was expected to face Ruud in a highly anticipated match. The Serbian player expressed his disappointment in a statement, acknowledging the tough decision made by him and his team.
The injury occurred during Djokovic’s previous match against Francisco Cerundolo, where he felt discomfort exacerbated in the second set. Despite his efforts, the slippery court surface at Court Philippe-Chatrier contributed to his worsening condition.
This withdrawal paves the way for Ruud to advance to the semifinals, where he will face either Alexander Zverev or Alex de Minaur. Djokovic’s absence also means that Jannik Sinner will become Italy’s first world number one next week.
The news comes as a blow to Djokovic, who was aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title. His withdrawal highlights the physical challenges faced by athletes in high-stakes competitions, emphasizing the importance of proper injury management and court conditions in professional tennis.
For fans eager to watch the remainder of the French Open, the men’s semifinals are scheduled for Friday, June 7, and can be viewed live on NBC, Peacock, and the Tennis Channel, with streaming options available on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
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