Devastating Hip Injury Forces Alex de Minaur to Withdraw from Wimbledon Quarterfinal Against Novak Djokovic

Alex de Minaur, the talented Australian tennis player, announced with a heavy heart that he would not be able to compete in the highly anticipated Wimbledon 2024 quarterfinal against the legendary Novak Djokovic due to a severe hip injury.

Showing immense disappointment, de Minaur explained that the injury, a tear of the fibre cartilage connecting to the adductor in his right hip, occurred during a ‘freak movement’ in his thrilling match against Arthur Fils.

His hopes were dashed even after a last-minute practice session alongside former World No.1 Lleyton Hewitt, as the scan results confirmed the seriousness of his injury.

Initially hear a ‘loud crack’ during the final moments of his match, de Minaur described the situation as a heartbreaking blow, with no signs of fatigue or weakness prior to the severe incident.

The Australian tennis star underwent a late-night practice session at Aorangi Park under the watchful eye of strength coach Emilio Poveda Pagan, hoping for a miracle recovery before his scheduled quarterfinal.

De Minaur, who had been on a remarkable journey to reach back-to-back Grand Slam quarterfinals, expressed his emotional turmoil, mentioning the difficulty in enjoying his achievements amidst the worry and sleepless nights due to the injury.

Addressing the media surrounded by his team and family, de Minaur emphasized the regret of not being able to face Djokovic in what would have been a career-defining match, acknowledging the gravity of risking further damage to his hip with a possible four-month recovery timeline looming if he had played.

As an Australian hopeful for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, de Minaur remained uncertain about his return to the court, as the unique nature of his injury makes it challenging to provide a definitive recovery plan.

Despite the setbacks, de Minaur’s unfortunate withdrawal has elevated him to a career-high world ranking of No.6, a testament to his remarkable talent and perseverance in the face of adversity.