You might have heard the big news: Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the French Open due to a knee injury. This unexpected move came right after his intense fourth-round match against Francisco Cerúndolo on Monday. Here’s what happened by HTC News
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The Injury That Changed Everything
Djokovic, the defending champion, was aiming for his 25th grand slam title at Roland Garros. But during the grueling five-set battle against Cerúndolo, pain in his right knee, specifically a medial meniscus tear, became unbearable. After the match, Djokovic took to Instagram to announce his withdrawal, stating that he had to make this tough decision after consulting with his team despite playing with all his heart.
A Tough Call After a Gritty Win
Just two days before his match with Cerúndolo, Djokovic had already endured another five-set marathon against Lorenzo Musetti. This match ended past 3 a.m. local time, showing Djokovic’s incredible perseverance. Despite winning against Cerúndolo, he expressed his concern about the knee pain, which only eased once his medication took effect towards the end of the match.
Djokovic’s Struggle on Court
Djokovic revealed he had felt slight discomfort in his knee before the tournament but didn’t think it was severe. However, the pain intensified during the Cerúndolo match, especially after he tweaked his knee at the start of the second set, requiring a medical timeout. His movement was notably hindered, especially during quick direction changes or when retrieving drop shots. It wasn’t until the end of the fourth set that Djokovic could move more freely and up his game.
The Role of Weather and Court Conditions
Persistent rain in Paris made the courts slippier than usual. Djokovic mentioned that he slipped too many times during the match, which was unusual even for a clay court. His requests for more frequent sweeping of the clay were denied, leading him to question whether better court maintenance could have prevented his injury.
Impact on the Tournament
Djokovic’s withdrawal propelled his scheduled quarterfinal opponent, Casper Ruud, straight to the semifinals. Additionally, this turn of events means that Jannik Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion, will ascend to the top of the world rankings for the first time in his career, making him Italy’s first-ever tennis world No. 1. Sinner secured his spot in the semifinals by defeating Grigor Dimitrov.
A Farewell and Hope for Recovery
Djokovic signed off his Instagram post by wishing the remaining players luck and thanking his fans for their support. As he focuses on his recovery, the tennis world will undoubtedly miss his presence at Roland Garros. Still, his health and future performances are what matter most.
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