Novak Djokovic Withdraws from French Open Due to Torn Meniscus, Opens Door for Jannik Sinner to Claim World No. 1 Spot

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic‘s quest for another French Open title abruptly ended as he withdrew from the tournament’s quarterfinals after an MRI revealed a torn meniscus in his right knee.

The Serbian star was scheduled to face Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros, but his injury forced him out of the competition.

The French Open organization confirmed Djokovic’s withdrawal, opening the door for Jannik Sinner to potentially claim the coveted world No. 1 spot.

Djokovic cited the knee injury, which he felt worsen during his tough five-set win over Francisco Cerundolo, leading to his decision to exit the tournament.

In a statement, Djokovic expressed disappointment over being unable to continue, highlighting the slippery conditions on Court Philippe-Chatrier as a contributing factor to his injury.

For Djokovic, this setback comes amid a challenging year marked by injuries, coaching changes, and surprising defeats after a dominant 2023 performance in Grand Slams.

While Djokovic will no longer compete, Ruud will advance to face either Alexander Zverev or Alex de Minaur in the French Open semifinals.

The Serbian’s absence means a significant opportunity for Sinner, who defeated Grigor Dimitrov to secure a spot in the semifinals and now eyes the world No. 1 ranking.

Sinner expressed his ambition to attain the top spot while wishing Djokovic a speedy recovery following his withdrawal from the tournament.

At Roland-Garros, Djokovic’s absence reshapes the competition dynamics, with players like Zverev, De Minaur, and potential finals opponents Tsitsipas and Alcaraz aiming to seize the opportunity.

The French Open will continue its thrilling matchups, offering fans a captivating semifinal and final showdown as the tournament progresses in Paris.