The defending champion is out! A knee injury forced tennis star Novak Djokovic to give up at the French Open. This benefits his opponent – and the new world number one Jannik Sinner.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic will not compete in his quarter-final match at the French Open in Paris on Wednesday, thereby losing his lead in the world rankings to Jannik Sinner. The Serbian tennis star withdrew from the event due to an inner meniscus injury in his right knee, the organizer announced.
He “played with all his heart” and “gave everything” in his round of 16 match on Monday, Djokovic wrote on Instagram. After careful consideration, however, he had to make this “difficult decision.” “I wish all the players competing this week the best of luck and thank the incredible fans for all their love and continued support.”
Quarter-final opponent Casper Ruud (25) from Norway is now the first semi-finalist without a fight. He would be Alexander Zverev’s next opponent if the 27-year-old from Hamburg wins his quarter-final against Australian Alex De Minaur on Wednesday.
Special moment for Italian tennis
The cancellation not only stops the 37-year-old Djokovic on his path to his 25th Grand Slam tournament victory, he also loses the number one spot in the world rankings to Sinner. The Australian Open winner, who reached the semifinals during Djokovic’s cancellation thanks to a 6:2, 6:4, 7:6 (7:3) win over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, will be the first Italian to top the world rankings.
This was “a special moment” for him, said the 22-year-old in the winner’s interview on Court Philippe Chatrier: “It is a dream for every player to be number 1 in the world.” However, Djokovic’s withdrawal is not a nice thing, “I wish him all the best.”
Former coach Becker “speechless”
Djokovic slipped on the clay court of Court Philippe Chatrier during his five-set victory against Argentinian Francisco Cerúndolo and injured his right knee. The Serb had already complained to the head referee during the match: “I sprained my knee. I’m slipping and sliding the whole time.”
“It’s a serious injury and it won’t go away tomorrow. It leaves me a little speechless,” said Djokovic’s former coach Boris Becker on Eurosport. The tennis icon congratulated Sinner: “This is a historic moment in tennis – a new number one who is playing right now and doesn’t know anything about it. It’s crazy. Italy will celebrate him!”
Source: Stern
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