Novak Djokovic withdraws from French Open quarterfinals due to meniscus tear
Novak Djokovic cannot participate in the quarterfinals of the French Open since an MRI on Tuesday discovered that he has a damaged meniscus in his right knee.
On Wednesday, the quarterfinals were scheduled, and the top-ranked player in the world was supposed to compete against Casper Ruud.
The French Open announced that Novak Djokovic won't be able to play in the quarterfinals against Casper Ruud due to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee. The injury was discovered today during an MRI scan and has caused Djokovic to withdraw from the Roland-Garros tournament.
When the latest rankings are released on Monday, Jannik Sinner is set to become the first Italian man in history to achieve the world number one title, following Djokovic's decision to withdraw.
Djokovic arrived at the tournament with a minor knee discomfort and mentioned that the injury became more severe during the second set of his five-set victory against Francisco Cerundolo. He expressed his irritation towards the slippery surface of Court Philippe-Chatrier and requested for it to be cleaned routinely. However, his petition was rejected.
The player who has won the French Open three times has experienced a hectic year, having to deal with injuries, changes in coaching staff, and uncharacteristic defeats.
In 2023, Djokovic was a force to be reckoned with, dominating in three out of four Grand Slams and getting to the final in Wimbledon. He had an extraordinary performance with a record of 56 wins and 7 losses, giving him an 88.9% success rate. However, in 2024, he has a record of 18 wins and 6 losses, which gives him a 75% win rate.
The athlete who is 37 years old was trying to achieve his 25th Grand Slam victory. Nevertheless, he still has the highest number of major wins among male players.
Meniscus Tear: Recovery Time & Treatments
A tear in the meniscus is frequently observed as an injury to the knee's cartilage. It is responsible for absorbing any shock that could occur between the shinbone and thighbone.
Usually, these kinds of injuries happen when an immense force twists or rotates the knee.
The way to take care of a torn meniscus changes in accordance with its severity. For instance, cases that are less severe may be alleviated with rest, physical therapy, pain relievers, and ice. Nevertheless, tears that are more complex may necessitate surgery.
Non-surgical recovery time could take around 4 to 6 weeks, whereas surgical recovery is typically about 3 to 6 weeks for a meniscectomy or 3 to 6 months for a meniscus repair.
Casper Ruud's French Open Opponent?
Due to Djokovic's withdrawal, the No. 7 ranked player, Ruud, automatically advances to the semifinals of the French Open without having to play a match.
The runner-ups of the French Open in 2022 and 2023 will compete against the victor of the match between Alexander Zverev and Alex De Minaur, who have been performing exceptionally well. Zverev managed to defeat Rafael Nadal in the initial round, whereas De Minaur got rid of Daniil Medvedev in the Round of 16.
French Open Semis: When?
On June 7th, Friday, the semifinal matches for the men will take place.
"Get Ready For French Open Men's Semifinals & Finals"
NBC, Peacock and Tennis Channel are broadcasting the French Open directly from Roland Garros situated in Paris.
Additionally, the competition can be viewed online via NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports mobile application.
Here is the timetable for when the men's semifinals and final will be aired:
Who Made The French Open Semis?
As we wait for the outcome of the Zverev and De Minaur match, Ruud is eagerly anticipating who will come out victorious. Additionally, the second seed, Jannik Sinner, will encounter the winner of the upcoming match between Carlos Alcaraz (ranked third) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (ranked ninth).
