Djokovic Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery After Withdrawing From French Open Quarter Final
Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic has undergone a successful knee surgery after withdrawing from the French Open. Djokovic suffered a torn medial meniscus in the fourth round of the tournament against Francisco Cerundolo before withdrawing ahead of the quarter finals, where he would have played Casper Ruud.
"In the past day, I had to make some tough decisions after sustaining a meniscus tear during my last match," Djokovic shared on social media, saying that the surgery went well. "I'm going to do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible. My love for this sport is strong and the desire to compete at the highest level is what keeps me going," he added.
Djokovic's Future Tournament Appearances Uncertain After Injury
Djokovic's injury means he will miss the French Open and potentially Wimbledon, which starts on July 1st. The injury will also affect his preparations for the Paris Olympics, with the men's singles beginning on July 27. Djokovic has been open about his wishes to get gold at the Olympics this year.
The injury and subsequent surgery mean Djokovic will also lose his world number one ranking, with Italy's Jannik Sinner set to take his place. Sinner is due to face Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open semi-finals on Friday.
Djokovic's knee issue comes during a challenging season where he has not yet won a title in 2024. His last major win was at the Australian Open, where he suffered a semi-final defeat by Sinner.
The recovery time for a torn meniscus is typically between three and six weeks, leaving his Wimbledon and Olympic prospects uncertain. Despite the setback, Djokovic remains focused on recovery and returning to the court.
As Djokovic navigates his recovery, he expressed gratitude for his medical team and the support from fans. The tennis world will be watching closely to see when the 24-time Grand Slam champion can make his comeback.
