Roland Garros 2024: Why Novak Djokovic has been forced to withdraw from the French Open

Novak Djokovic will not take to the court for his quarterfinal match with Casper Ruud at Roland Garros because of a knee injury. 

The Serbian No. defeated Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in Monday’s fourth-round match on Philippe-Chatrier, playing for four hours and 39 minutes just 37 hours after the completion of his third-round match against Lorenzo Musetti that lasted four hours and 29 minutes. 

The 24-time Grand Slam champion twisted his knee in Monday’s match after attempting a change of direction and required treatment several times on the issue. 

Djokovic complained about the court’s condition in his third-round match against Musetti and those protests continued before and after the incident that ultimately made him withdraw.

"Today I injured myself. I survived. I won the match. Great. But will I be able to play next one? I don't know," said Djokovic after Monday’s win.  

"I don't know the severity of the injury. But could this injury have been prevented? Possibly, if there was just a little bit more of frequent care of the court during the set."

The 37-year-old revealed how he got through Monday’s match with Cerundolo. 

"At one point I didn't know whether I should continue or not with what's happening. I got the medications and then, after the third set was done, I asked for more medications and got them," added the three-time Roland Garros champion.  

"That was the maximum dose that kicked in... after 30 to 45 minutes, which was about the time at the end of the fourth set, when things started to really improve for me. I started to feel less limitations in my movement.  

"The whole fifth set was almost without any pain, which is great. But the effect of the medications will not last for too long, so I'll see. We'll do some more screening and tests and check-ups tomorrow, as well.  

According to multiple reports, the Serbian superstar underwent an MRI on Tuesday, and the now-revealed result has contributed to his departure.

The 37-year-old was slated to face Ruud in the rematch of the 2023 final as he continued a bid to notch his first title of 2024 and a 25th Slam. 

The upshot of Tuesday's revelation means Djokovic faces a nervous wait to be fit for Wimbledon at the start of July and the Paris Olympics.