Tennis player and defending champion Novak Djokovic will not participate in the quarter-finals due to a knee injury French Open Participate. As the organizer announced, the Serbian withdrew from the tournament due to an injury to the medial meniscus in his right knee.
His opponent, the Norwegian Casper Ruud, is now the first semi-finalist without a fight and could meet Alexander Zverev there if he wins the quarter-finals against the Australian Alex De Minaur.
Due to his cancellation, Djokovic not only has to miss the opportunity to defend his title. He also loses first place in the world rankings. This is now in the hands of Jannik Sinner, the first Italian to top the world rankings. To stay in first place, Djokovic would have to win the tournament Paris needed.
‘Dream to be number 1 in the world’
“It is a dream for every player to become number one in the world,” said Sinner. However, Djokovic’s withdrawal is not a pleasant thing. “I wish him all the best.”
Sinner will face Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. The 21-year-old deservedly won in his quarter-final on Court Philippe Chatrier in just three sets with 6:3, 7:6 (7:3), 6:4 against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. For Alcaraz it was the 50th victory in a Grand Slam match and the fifth appearance in the semi-finals in one of the four major tournaments.
Djokovic slipped on the sand at Court Philippe Chatrier during the match against Argentinian Francisco Cerúndolo and injured his knee. He had already informed the head referee during the match: “I sprained my knee. I’m slipping and sliding all the time.”
Djokovic’s former coach Boris Becker regretted his injury, but congratulated the 22-year-old Sinner: “This is a historic moment in tennis – a new number one who is currently playing and knows nothing about it. It’s crazy. Italy is going to celebrate!”
Tennis player and defending champion Novak Djokovic will not participate in the quarter-finals due to a knee injury French Open Participate. As the organizer announced, the Serbian withdrew from the tournament due to an injury to the medial meniscus in his right knee.
His opponent, the Norwegian Casper Ruud, is now the first semi-finalist without a fight and could meet Alexander Zverev there if he wins the quarter-finals against the Australian Alex De Minaur.
Due to his cancellation, Djokovic not only has to miss the opportunity to defend his title. He also loses first place in the world rankings. This is now in the hands of Jannik Sinner, the first Italian to top the world rankings. To stay in first place, Djokovic would have to win the tournament Paris needed.