Novak Djokovic withdraws from French Open due to knee

PARIS — Novak Djokovic has been pressured to withdraw from his French Open quarterfinal in opposition to Casper Ruud as a result of proper knee damage he sustained in his fourth-round win Monday.

The transfer ends his title protection and means he’ll relinquish the No. 1 rating.

Djokovic underwent an MRI scan and additional medical exams on his knee Tuesday. An announcement from Roland Garros stated he suffered a “torn medial meniscus” of his proper knee.

Djokovic stated Monday he was damage within the second set of his eventual five-set win over Francisco Cerundolo. He was hopeful of competing in his quarterfinal Wednesday.

In a press release, Djokovic stated that he performed along with his coronary heart and gave it his all Monday earlier than getting injured.

“I want the most effective of luck to the gamers competing this week and sincerely thank the unbelievable followers for the entire love and continued assist,” he stated.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion stated he had slight discomfort in his proper knee coming into the event however had no additional points till his mammoth fourth-round match Monday. His third-round match completed at 3:07 a.m. on Sunday and he stated that late end “did not assist the sleeping, the biorhythm, and restoration.”

After taking the primary set in opposition to Cerundolo, Djokovic stated a slip within the third sport of the second set “affected the knee.” He requested a medical timeout and had additional physio remedy on it throughout the match.

Djokovic was visibly pissed off with how slippery he was discovering the floor on Court docket Philippe-Chatrier and requested for it to be swept extra ceaselessly. However the request was rejected.

“I began feeling the ache and requested for the physio remedy and the medical timeout and tried to maintain it. It did disrupt me undoubtedly in play,” Djokovic stated Monday night. “For 2 units, two units and a half, I did not need to keep within the rally too lengthy. Each time he would make sudden drop photographs or change instructions, I might not be feeling comfy to do the working.

“At one level I did not know, to be sincere, whether or not I ought to proceed or not with what’s taking place. I bought the medicines, after which after the third set was accomplished, I requested for extra medicines, and I bought them.

“That was the utmost dose that kicked in, as I heard now from physician after 30 to 45 minutes, which was simply in regards to the time form of finish of the fourth when issues began to actually enhance for me. I began to really feel much less limitations in my motion.”

Down two units to at least one and a break within the fourth set, Djokovic rallied to win the match, however he was left involved with what long-term injury he had accomplished to his knee within the course of.

Djokovic, 37, now units his sights on Wimbledon, which begins on July 1. Then there are the Olympic Video games beginning July 27. Djokovic’s withdrawal means Ruud has booked his spot within the semifinals. He’ll play the winner of Alexander Zverev and Alex de Minaur’s Wednesday quarterfinal.