- Novak Djokovic, the reigning champion, withdrew from the French Open prior to his scheduled quarter-final clash against Casper Ruud of Norway.
- Djokovic, 37, made the announcement of his departure from the Grand Slam tournament later in the day.
- His absence from the last eight left a significant void in the competition, as he was a strong contender for the title.
Newsypeople- Novak Djokovic, the reigning champion of the French Open, has unexpectedly withdrawn from the tournament due to a persistent knee injury.
The top-seeded Serbian player underwent a scan on Tuesday and attributed the injury to the “slippery” clay courts at Roland Garros, which he believed had exacerbated the issue during his fourth-round triumph on Monday.
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Djokovic, 37, made the announcement of his departure from the Grand Slam tournament later in the day. His absence from the last eight left a significant void in the competition, as he was a strong contender for the title.
Novak Djokovic has a meniscus injury and has withdrawn from Roland Garros.
— Danny 🐊 (@DjokovicFan_) June 4, 2024
Thank you for showing us the meaning of grit and perseverance.
Rest up and see you soon, Novak. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tUtftXfA56
The quarter-final encounter between Djokovic and Casper Ruud of Norway, initially slated for Wednesday, was cancelled due to the former’s withdrawal.
The injury, which had been troubling Djokovic for some time, ultimately proved to be a deciding factor in his decision to withdraw from the tournament.
This marks the latest setback in the Serbian’s injury-plagued season, as he had previously withdrawn from the Italian Open and the Madrid Open due to a left hamstring injury.
Djokovic’s withdrawal is a blow to tournament organizers, who were looking forward to a potential clash between the Serbian and Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. With the defending champion out, the world number one, Daniil Medvedev, is now the favorite to win the title.
The French Open has a rich history, with the tournament being established in 1877 and the Wimbledon Championships being the oldest tennis tournament in the world. Tennis has evolved from a garden-party game for ladies and gentlemen in the 19th century to a physically demanding sport with a wide variety of strokes and strategies.
The game has seen significant innovations in equipment and fashion, with the introduction of metal racket frames and the use of colored tennis balls.
The ongoing French Open has featured several noteworthy matches, including encounters between top players such as Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Grigor Dimitrov, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The tournament has also seen doubles matches and matches involving lesser-known players, showcasing the depth and diversity of the sport.
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