The French Open has been shaken by Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal due to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee. The injury, sustained during a grueling quarterfinal match against Francisco Cerúndolo, has forced the Serbian champion to end his campaign at Roland Garros. As a result, Casper Ruud will automatically advance to the semifinals, marking a significant shift in the tournament’s dynamics.Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner’s remarkable season, highlighted by his Australian Open victory and a record of 31 wins to only 2 losses since the start of 2024, has culminated in him becoming the first Italian to be crowned world number one. Sinner’s supporters, famously donning orange carrot suits, have been a vibrant presence, celebrating his mental fortitude and clutch performances.Djokovic’s withdrawal raises questions about his participation in upcoming major tournaments, including Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics, as the injury may require surgery. Despite this setback, Djokovic leaves Roland Garros having achieved a historic 370 Grand Slam match wins, the most in the sport’s history. Sinner, now set to become the new top-ranked player, will face Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinals, with the potential to further cement his status as tennis’ leading figure.
Key points
- Novak Djokovic withdraws from French Open due to a knee injury, ending his title defense.
- Jannik Sinner to become world number one, the first Italian player to achieve this milestone.
- Casper Ruud advances to the semifinals as Djokovic’s absence reshapes the tournament.
- Djokovic’s participation in Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics is uncertain due to his injury.
- Sinner’s exceptional season includes 31 wins and an Australian Open title, with only 2 losses in 2024.
