The tennis world was left reeling on Tuesday as defending champion Novak Djokovic made the heartbreaking decision to withdraw from the French Open quarter-finals, sending shockwaves through Roland Garros.
Medical Scan Reveals Devastating Blow
The world number one's title defence came to an abrupt end following medical scans that confirmed a torn medial meniscus in his right knee. The injury, sustained during his gruelling fourth-round victory against Francisco Cerundolo, has left the Serbian superstar facing an uncertain future in the tournament season.
This devastating development means Djokovic will relinquish his world number one ranking to Italian sensation Jannik Sinner, who becomes the first Italian player to reach the summit of men's tennis.
Quarter-Final Match Cancelled
Djokovic was scheduled to face Norwegian rival Casper Ruud in what promised to be an epic quarter-final clash. Instead, Ruud receives a walkover into the semi-finals, where he'll await the winner between Alexander Zverev and Alex de Minaur.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion's withdrawal marks a stunning conclusion to his Paris campaign, ending his quest for a record-breaking 25th major title and casting serious doubt over his participation in Wimbledon next month.
Injury Drama Unfolds
Djokovic's physical struggles became apparent during his five-set battle against Cerundolo, where he required medical treatment and appeared visibly hampered throughout the match. The 37-year-old later revealed he had been managing the knee issue for several weeks before it reached breaking point in Paris.
Tennis authorities have confirmed that Djokovic will undergo immediate medical evaluation to determine the full extent of the damage and required treatment timeline.
Tournament Implications
The shock withdrawal dramatically alters the landscape of this year's French Open, with the bottom half of the draw now wide open. Casper Ruud, a two-time finalist at Roland Garros, finds himself in prime position to capitalise on Djokovic's misfortune.
As the tennis community processes this bombshell news, all eyes turn to Djokovic's recovery timeline and whether the legendary competitor can return in time to challenge for Wimbledon glory.
