Djokovic withdraws from French Open as Sinner takes on Alcaraz in the semifinal

Veteran Novak Djokovic withdrew from the ongoing 2024 French Open on Tuesday due to injury. The world number one had advanced to the quarterfinal round of the event and was set to play Casper Ruud, who now has an automatic pass to the semifinal before a knee injury forced him to exit the competition. 

Ruud will now face the winner of Alexander Zverev vs. Alex de Minaur to get a spot in the final. 

Announcing his withdrawal from the event, Djokovic revealed that a medial meniscus tear in his right knee was the reason behind his withdrawal, and the decision was made after careful consultation with his team. 

The 37-year-old was playing for his fourth French Open title and his 25th grand slam title overall, which would have made him the person with the most grand slams in the Open Era. 

The Serbian is yet to win a grand slam this year after crashing out early at the Australian Open earlier this year. He did not mention when he is likely to get back on the court, but the earliest date could be July 1, which is the start of the Wimbledon Championships. 

Djokovic’s withdrawal means he would lose his number-one ranking, which would now go to Jannik Sinner when the list is updated. But first, Sinner would have to survive a meeting with Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal round. 

The two have met eight times and are tied at four wins each. Their recent meeting was at Indian Wells back in March, where Alcaraz won, although Sinner won their last two meetings before that. 

The Italian is aiming for his second grand slam title of the year after winning in Australia. Sinner, currently ranked second, will be taking the men’s top spot for the first time in his career and, in doing so, would become the first Italian to hold that position, an achievement that can only be sweetened by winning the title on Sunday.