Novak Djokovic confirmed on Thursday that he had to get surgery done on his right knee that he aggravated during the fourth round of the French Open. The Serb added that the procedure"went well".
The 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic was forced to withdraw from the tournament ahead of his quarter-final against Casper Ruud after a scan revealed a torn medial meniscus in his right knee.
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“In the past day, I had to make some tough decisions after sustaining a meniscus tear during my last match,” he posted on social media.
“I’m still processing it all but I am happy to update you that the surgery went well.
“I am so appreciative of the team of doctors who have been by my side as well as the overwhelming support I have received from my fans.”
The 37-year-old didn’t disclose whether he would be fit to take part at Wimbledon which begins on 1 July but added that he was going to “do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible”.
“My love for this sport is strong and the desire to compete at the highest level is what keeps me going,” he added.
Djokovic pushed himself to the brink in a five-set win against Francisco Cerundolo. Two days prior, he played a five set match, that finished at 3 AM, against Lorenzo Musetti. The Serb had blamed the “slippery” Roland Garros courts for aggravating the problem.
“For the last couple weeks I have had, I would say, slight discomfort, I would call it that way, in the right knee, but I haven’t had an injury that would be concerning me at all,” Djokovic said after his record 370th win at a Grand Slam.
“I was playing a few tournaments with it, and no issues until today.”
Djokovic’s injury-enforced exit means that Jannik Sinner will become Italy’s first number one in the sport next week.
For the first time since 2004, the men’s final in Paris will not feature Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer.
Djokovic has long said he will prioritise the Olympic Games this summer as he chases an elusive singles gold, putting his status for Wimbledon in doubt.
“The Paris Olympics are very important, the Olympics have always been a priority for me,” Djokovic said in April ahead of the clay swing in Monte Carlo.
“It’s all about building my game for clay courts. I want to reach my peak for Paris - that’s where I want to play my best tennis. Anything else is a bonus, so let’s see what happens.”
Should he sit out Wimbledon it could be the first Grand Slam main draw not to feature Djokovic, Nadal, or Federer since the 1999 US Open.
Nadal lost in the first round at Roland Garros this year and revealed it was unlikely he would play on grass because the transition back to clay for the Olympics would be tough.
(with inputs from AFP)
