Djokovic withdraws from French Open 2024 quarterfinal due to injury

World No. 1 and defending French Open champion Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Roland Garros due to an injury ahead of the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

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“Due to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee (discovered during an MRI scan), Djokovic, who was supposed to play Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals tomorrow, has been forced to withdraw from the Roland Garros tournament,” organisers said.

The extent of the injury was found during an MRI exam a day after Djokovic was hurt during a fourth-round victory against No. 23 Francisco Cerundolo that lasted five sets spread across more than four-and-a-half hours. “I don’t know what will happen tomorrow — or after tomorrow, if I’ll be able to step out on the court and play,” the 37-year-old Djokovic said Monday evening. “You know, I hope so. Let’s see what happens.”

Last year’s runner-up Ruud will advance to the semifinals on Wednesday.

The withdrawal ended Djokovic’s quest for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam trophy. It is also the first time since his  debut in 2005 that the Serb has withdrawn from a Grand Slam due to injury.

Djokovic had played back-to-back five-setters, beating Lorenzo Musetti in the third round and Cerundolo. He claimed his 370th Grand Slam win to overhaul Swiss legend Roger Federer.

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Amid a season in which he is only 18-6 and has not reached a final at any tournament, let alone won one, he needed to get back to the title match in Paris to retain his hold atop the ATP rankings. With the withdrawal, Djokovic now will be replaced by current No. 2 Jannik Sinner, an Italian who was playing No. 10 Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

With AP inputs

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