On Tuesday, Novak Djokovic made the difficult decision to withdraw from the French Open due to an injured knee, putting an end to his title defense and his current stint as the world's top-ranked player. In a statement shared on social media, Djokovic expressed his sadness over the situation and explained that a medial meniscus tear in his right knee led to the decision, which came after careful consideration and consultation with his team.
The injury was revealed during an MRI exam on Tuesday, following Djokovic's challenging fourth-round victory against Francisco Cerundolo. The match, which lasted over 4 1/2 hours and spanned five sets, took a toll on Djokovic, who was facing his second consecutive five-setter. As a result of his withdrawal, his scheduled quarterfinal match against Casper Ruud was turned into a walkover, with Ruud advancing to the semifinals.
With Djokovic out of the tournament, the field is wide open for a new champion at the French Open. Players like Jannik Sinner, who secured a spot in the semifinals with a victory over Grigor Dimitrov, are now in contention for the title. Sinner's rise to the top of the ATP rankings next week, replacing Djokovic, adds another layer of significance to the event.
Djokovic's withdrawal raises questions about his future and the impact on his pursuit of records, such as extending his reign as the world's top-ranked player. While the extent of his absence remains uncertain, his absence from the upcoming Wimbledon and Paris Olympics events is a significant blow to the tennis world. Despite his injury struggles, Djokovic's determination and resilience were evident in his recent matches, underscoring his status as one of the sport's greatest competitors.
