Withdrawal Confirmation
Novak Djokovic has confirmed his withdrawal from Roland Garros 2024 due to a knee injury, preventing him from facing Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals.
Details of the Injury
The worst news has been confirmed: Novak Djokovic is withdrawing from Roland Garros after injuring his right knee during his fourth-round match against Francisco Cerúndolo. This setback means Djokovic will not be able to defend his title from last year, and Casper Ruud advances to the semifinals. The tournament organization confirmed the news after Djokovic underwent an MRI this morning, which revealed a medial meniscus tear in his right knee. Now, attention turns to his recovery and whether he will be ready for Wimbledon and the Olympics.
Moment of the Injury
The incident occurred in the second set of the match against Cerúndolo when Djokovic began to feel discomfort in his right knee and called for the physiotherapist. Despite the difficulties, Djokovic continued playing thanks to treatments and painkillers, managing an unexpected comeback. However, before the match, Djokovic was already seen with patches on his knee, a consequence of his demanding previous match against Lorenzo Musetti, which worsened during the match against Cerúndolo.
Djokovic’s Statement
Djokovic shared his sadness on his Instagram account: “I am very saddened to announce that I have to withdraw from Roland Garros. I played with my heart and gave everything in yesterday’s match and, unfortunately, due to a medial meniscus tear in my right knee, my team and I had to make a difficult decision after careful consideration and consultation. I wish the best of luck to the players competing this week and sincerely thank the incredible fans for all the love and continued support. See you soon. With love and gratitude, Nole.”
Impact and Future
Now remains the question of how long Djokovic’s recovery will take, with Wimbledon and the Olympics on the horizon. This injury adds to an irregular year for the Serbian, who has not won any titles this season and will lose the number one spot to Jannik Sinner, as he will not be able to defend his 2000 championship points. Djokovic’s withdrawal also ensures a new Grand Slam champion at Roland Garros. This setback has caused a significant impact in the tennis world, and it remains to be seen how it will affect Djokovic’s future goals, as he faces the physical and performance challenges that come with age at 37.