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Novak Djokovic Ends French Open Title Defense Due to Injury
Novak Djokovic, the defending champion of the French Open, was forced to withdraw from the tournament on Tuesday due to a right knee injury. This development implies that he will subsequently lose his current position as No. 1 in the world rankings.
The tournament organizers confirm that Djokovic has a torn medial meniscus in his right knee. This injury was detected during an MRI scan conducted a day after his strenuous fourth-round triumph over No. 23 Francisco Cerundolo, which spanned more than four and a half hours across five sets.
Djokovic’s Upcoming Matches
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was set to challenge two-time French Open finalist Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. However, due to Djokovic’s withdrawal, Ruud will advance to the semifinals unopposed, where he is slated to play against either No. 4 Alexander Zverev or No. 11 Alex de Minaur.
Condition of Djokovic’s Knee
Djokovic had reportedly been experiencing discomfort in his knee for several weeks prior to the Roland Garros tournament, although he maintained silence about it until after his victory over Cerundolo. He experienced a strain in his knee early in the second set on Monday, which led to a medical break. A therapist attended to the joint during this pause and subsequent changeovers. Djokovic took medication, acting on the recommendation of a tournament doctor, to alleviate the pain and minimize inflammation.
Djokovic’s Future in French Open
After Monday’s triumph, the 37-year-old Djokovic expressed uncertainty about his ability to participate in future matches. He stated and we quote, “I don’t know what will happen tomorrow — or after tomorrow, if I’ll be able to step out on the court and play. You know, I hope so. Let’s see what happens.”
In order to maintain his top spot in the ATP rankings, Djokovic had to reach the title round in Paris. Given his withdrawal, he will be superseded by the current No. 2 Jannik Sinner of Italy, who is participating in his quarterfinal match on Tuesday.
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