Due to knee injury

Novak Djokovic pulls out of the French Open

Novak Djokovic

(Bild: Action Press/Thibault Camus)

Novak Djokovic caused a sensation on Tuesday in the middle of Jannik Sinner's French Open quarter-final match against Grigor Dimitrov. The 37-year-old Serb had to announce his withdrawal from the tournament a day later after his painful five-set victory in the round of 16 against Francisco Cerundolo (ARG). An MRI examination revealed a meniscus injury in his right knee. Sinner thus becomes the new number one.

Djokovic is suffering from "a lesion of the medial meniscus in his right knee". It is not yet known whether the Serb will have to undergo an operation. In any case, his appearance at the next major in Wimbledon in four weeks' time seems very doubtful. "I'm very disappointed and sad. I played with heart yesterday and gave it my all. Unfortunately, I had to make a tough decision today after careful consideration and an examination," the Serb said via Instagram. He wished the best to the players remaining in the tournament. "And I have to thank the incredible fans for their love and continued support."

(Bild: AFP/APA/Bertrand GUAY, AP)

Slip-up against Cerundolo
Djokovic had already announced after his last-gasp victory over Cerundolo in the round of 16 with the maximum dose of painkillers that he did not know whether he would be able to play in the quarter-finals. Djokovic had explained that he had had an injury for several weeks and that it had flared up when he slipped on the court in the second set against Cerundolo. This means that, as in Australia, Djokovic will not be able to achieve his major goal of extending his Major record to 25 titles. This was the next major setback in a season that has so far gone without a tournament win.

Sinner new number one
This is also accompanied by the loss of the number one position in the rankings. Sinner will replace him, the South Tyrolean defeated the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6:2, 6:4, 7:6(3) after two and a half hours and is in the final round at Roland Garros for the first time. "I put in a very solid performance," said the 22-year-old, who only found out about the events surrounding Djokovic afterwards. "What can I say. It's every player's dream to become number one in the world. But the fact that Novak has withdrawn is disappointing for everyone.

From Monday, Sinner will be the first Italian in the history of the ATP rankings to climb to the "throne". Even without the injury, a place in the final would have been enough for the right-hander, regardless of Djokovic. The Norwegian Casper Ruud also benefited from the withdrawal. Last year's finalist spares himself the quarter-finals on Wednesday and awaits the winner of the duel between Olympic champion Alexander Zverev (GER-4) and Alex De Minaur (AUS-11) in the semi-finals.