Djokovic Forced to Withdraw from French Open Quarterfinals Due to Knee Injury
Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the French Open quarterfinals due to a meniscus tear in his right knee, as revealed by an MRI on Tuesday. The world No. 1 was scheduled to face Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
In a statement, the French Open announced, "Due to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee (discovered during an MRI scan performed today), Novak Djokovic, who was supposed to play Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals tomorrow, has been forced to withdraw from the Roland-Garros tournament.”
Djokovic's withdrawal means that Jannik Sinner will become the first-ever Italian man to be ranked world No. 1 when the new rankings are released on Monday.
Djokovic had entered the tournament with slight discomfort in his knee and reported that the injury worsened during his five-set win over Francisco Cerundolo. He had expressed frustration with the slippery conditions on Court Philippe-Chatrier and requested more frequent sweeping, but his request was denied.
The three-time French Open champion has faced a challenging year with injuries, coaching changes, and unexpected losses. In 2023, Djokovic was nearly unbeatable, winning three of the four Grand Slams and finishing runner-up at Wimbledon, with an impressive 56-7 win-loss record. In contrast, his 2024 season record stands at 18-6.
At 37 years old, Djokovic was aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title, but he still holds the record for the most majors in men's tennis.
What is a Meniscus Tear and How Long is the Recovery Time?
A meniscus tear is a common knee injury affecting the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the shinbone and thighbone. These injuries often occur due to forceful twisting or rotating of the knee. Treatment depends on the severity of the tear. Mild cases may be treated with ice, pain relievers, rest, and physical therapy, while more severe tears may require surgery. Recovery time ranges from 4 to 6 weeks without surgery, 3 to 6 weeks for a meniscectomy, and 3 to 6 months for a meniscus repair.
Casper Ruud's Next Opponent
With Djokovic's withdrawal, No. 7 seed Casper Ruud advances to the semifinals. Ruud, a finalist at the French Open in 2022 and 2023, will face the winner of the match between No. 4 Alexander Zverev and No. 11 Alex De Minaur. Both players have been in excellent form, with Zverev defeating Rafael Nadal in the first round and De Minaur eliminating No. 5 Daniil Medvedev in the Round of 16.
French Open Semifinals Schedule
The men's semifinals will take place on Friday, June 7. The match schedule is as follows:
- Date: Friday, June 7
- Time (ET):
- 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Tennis Channel
- 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on NBC and Peacock
How to Watch
The French Open will be broadcast live on NBC, Peacock, and the Tennis Channel, with streaming available on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. The men's final is scheduled for Sunday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.
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