Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, was aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title at this year’s French Open. However, he has withdrawn from the tournament before his quarter-final match due to a knee injury. Djokovic had a scan for the injury after blaming the slippery clay courts at Roland Garros for aggravating the problem during his fourth-round victory. The scan revealed a torn medial meniscus in his right knee, forcing him to pull out of the tournament.
The Serbian player was scheduled to face Norwegian seventh seed Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals but will now be replaced by Italy’s Jannik Sinner as the world number one. Djokovic’s hopes of winning his 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open have been dashed, and it is unclear if he will recover in time for Wimbledon, where he is a seven-time champion. The grass-court championships are set to begin on 1st July at the All England Club.
Djokovic, who has never won Olympic gold, was also eyeing the Paris 2024 Olympics, which are scheduled to start on 27th July at Roland Garros. His injury unfolded during his match against Francisco Cerundolo, where he experienced discomfort and slipped multiple times on the court. The pain in his knee intensified after a slip, leading to his decision to withdraw from the tournament.
The 37-year-old player expressed his disappointment over the injury and the impact it had on his performance. Djokovic’s priority this year was to win Olympic gold, and it remains uncertain if he will be fit to compete in the upcoming tournaments. More updates on Djokovic’s health and recovery are expected in the following days.