Novak Djokovic Withdraws From French Open Over Injury, To Lose World Ranking

 

Top seed, Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from Roland-Garros following knee injury sustained from the fourth-round match against Francisco Cerundolo. 

Djokovic was attended to by paramedics by the court side during the thrilling five-setter match, that he won narrowly against Francisco. However, the tournament's defending champion had torn the medical meniscus in his right knee. Consequently, he will not be playing the quarterfinal match against Casper Ruud. 

The organisers in a statement confirmed his exit after MRI scan showed that he has injured his right knee, which forced him to withdraw from playing against Ruud. 

"Because of the drier conditions and the sun and warmer conditions, it affects the clay in such a way that, you know, it becomes very slippery," said Djokovic. 

Having to withdraw will impact on the Serbian's world ranking as he will drop to number two while Italian ace, Jannik Sinner will move up to world number one - his first time ever in the sport. 

Francisco nearly set off an incredible upset but could not pull it off as Djokovic rallied in the fourth set 5-5 15/30 and denied the Argentine match points to move clear to win the set. He continued to wrap up the match at 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 despite playing with injury from the third set.