Tennis

Novak Djokovic's withdrawal from the French Open due to a torn meniscus has raised questions about the future of the "Big Three" in tennis. Despite his injury, it would be premature to write off Djokovic, who has a history of bouncing back from setbacks.Djokovic's injury is a significant blow to his hopes of winning a 21st Grand Slam title and extending his record at Roland Garros. However, it is important to remember that he has faced similar challenges in the past and emerged stronger.After a two-year drought without a major title from mid-2016 to mid-2018, Djokovic underwent elbow surgery and returned to win Wimbledon in 2018. He then went on to win 12 of the next 19 Grand Slams he entered, pushing his career tally to 24.Djokovic's resilience and determination are well-known. He has repeatedly shown that he can overcome adversity and return to the top of the game. As Carlos Alcaraz, one of the rising stars of tennis, noted, "He comes back stronger and he comes back quickly."While Djokovic's injury is a setback, it is not necessarily a sign of the end of his competitive career. He is still only 37 years old and has a wealth of experience and talent. If he can recover fully from his injury, he could still challenge for more Grand Slam titles and remain a force in the sport.The future of the "Big Three" is uncertain. Federer has retired, Nadal is dealing with injuries, and Djokovic is facing a new challenge. However, it would be a mistake to assume that their era is over. As long as they remain healthy and motivated, they can continue to compete at the highest level and inspire future generations of tennis players.

Novak Djokovic's French Open campaign came to an abrupt end on Tuesday due to a knee injury, while Iga Swiatek continued her dominant run with a ruthless display to reach the semi-finals.Djokovic, the world number one and 24-time Grand Slam champion, withdrew ahead of his quarter-final against Casper Ruud after a scan revealed a "medial meniscus tear" in his right knee. The 37-year-old had blamed the "slippery" Roland Garros courts for aggravating the problem during his last-16 win on Monday."I am really sad to announce that I have to withdraw from Roland Garros," Djokovic wrote on social media. "My team and I had to make a tough decision after careful consideration and consultation."Ruud, who lost to Djokovic in last year's final, will receive a walkover and play Alexander Zverev or Alex de Minaur in the semi-finals on Friday.Djokovic's injury-enforced exit also means that Jannik Sinner will become Italy's first number one in the sport next week. It also paves the way for a new name on the men's French Open trophy.Second seed Sinner reached his first Roland Garros semi-final shortly after the news of Djokovic's withdrawal, beating Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3)."It's every player's dream to become number one in the world. On the other hand, seeing Novak retiring (from the tournament) is disappointing, so I wish him a speedy recovery," said Sinner.The Australian Open champion awaits the winner of the night match between Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas, a repeat of last year's quarter-final.Alcaraz, who appears to be moving through the gears in Paris after an injury-hit preparation, has won all five past encounters with Tsitsipas."I'm really looking forward to playing this match. I love this challenge and these kind of matches," said the 21-year-old Spaniard, attempting to add to his Wimbledon title from a year ago and the 2022 US Open."I have seen a lot of matches from Stefanos lately. He has a lot of confidence right now and is playing great tennis. I think I have the key against him so I will try to make him in trouble."Tsitsipas, who lost the 2021 French Open final in five sets to Djokovic, hopes to put a stop to Alcaraz's dominance."He has said in the past he likes playing against me, so I hope he gets to like it a little bit less this time," said the Greek ninth seed.Earlier in the day, Swiatek thrashed Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2 to set up a last-four showdown with American third seed Coco Gauff, the player she beat in the 2022 Roland Garros final.World number one Swiatek improved her career record in Paris to 33-2 and is on course to become the first woman to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen three years in a row since Justine Henin in 2005-07.After Swiatek's 40-minute rout of Anastasia Potapova in the last 16, the only consolation for Vondrousova was her snapping the Pole's incredible run of 20 consecutive games won early in the second set."Honestly I think everything worked," said the 23-year-old Swiatek. "I felt like I was in the zone today."Since saving a match point against Naomi Osaka in round two, Swiatek has looked every bit the tournament favorite and goes into her semi-final with Gauff having won 10 of their 11 meetings, all in straight sets.US Open champion Gauff has come up short against Swiatek in four attempts on clay and was beaten by the top seed on her way to the title in Rome last month."You don't want to change your routines. Not to put too much baggage on your shoulders, just treat it like any other match and not something huge," said Swiatek.Gauff passed her toughest test of the fortnight as she fought back from a set down to beat three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.The 20-year-old Gauff is set for a third straight Grand Slam semi-final, after also making the last four at the Australian Open."Everybody knows I want to go all the way," said Gauff, who must try to end Swiatek's 19-match French Open winning run."She's playing great tennis here, so it's going to be a challenge, but I'm going to go into the match with a lot of belief that I can.""I have nothing to lose. All the pressure is on her."

Elena Rybakina vs. Jasmine Paolini: A Clash of StylesElena Rybakina, the No. 4 seed, has quietly advanced to the quarterfinals of the French Open, while Jasmine Paolini has also flown under the radar. The two players have contrasting styles, with Rybakina relying on power and aggression, while Paolini uses speed, spin, and scrambling to win points.Rybakina has won both of their previous encounters, including a three-set battle on clay in Stuttgart earlier this year. However, Paolini's energetic style and the support of the crowd could make this match more competitive.Aryna Sabalenka vs. Mirra Andreeva: A Rematch with AdjustmentsAryna Sabalenka will face Mirra Andreeva in a rematch of their Madrid quarterfinal, which Sabalenka won in straight sets. Andreeva has since made a strong run at Roland Garros, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time.Andreeva admits that she needs to make adjustments to her game plan, as her previous approach against Sabalenka proved ineffective. Sabalenka, known for her aggressive style, will likely try to prevent Andreeva from gaining early confidence.Alexander Zverev vs. Alex de Minaur: A Battle of EnduranceAlexander Zverev will face Alex de Minaur in a quarterfinal that promises to be a test of endurance. Zverev has shown remarkable resilience in Paris, overcoming deficits in both his third and fourth-round matches.De Minaur has a 2-7 record against Zverev, but he defeated the German in their United Cup encounter earlier this year. However, Zverev's height advantage, comfort on clay, and ability to rally will give him the edge in this match.

Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, will face off in the French Open semifinals after securing victories on June 4.Gauff, the No. 3 seed, rallied to defeat Ons Jabeur 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, reaching the semifinals of a third consecutive Grand Slam tournament. Swiatek, the No. 1 seed, followed suit on Court Philippe Chatrier with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory over Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, extending her Roland Garros winning streak to 19 matches.Gauff has enjoyed a remarkable run in recent Grand Slams, winning her first major title at the U.S. Open in September and reaching the final four at the Australian Open in January. The 20-year-old American was the runner-up to Swiatek at the French Open in 2022.Overall, Swiatek holds a 10-1 advantage in meetings against Gauff, including a 6-4, 6-3 semifinal win on clay last month en route to the Italian Open title.Despite a tough three-set triumph over four-time major champion Naomi Osaka in the second round last week, Swiatek has been at her dominant best in this French Open, showcasing why she has led the WTA rankings nearly every week since April 2022 and is a popular pick to leave with another title.Excluding the 17 games Osaka managed, Swiatek has dropped a total of only 11 games in her other four matches so far.Swiatek followed up her 6-0, 6-0 shutout of Anastasia Potapova in the fourth round by grabbing the initial seven games against Vondrousova. And make no mistake: Vondrousova is no slouch. In addition to being a Grand Slam champion, she was a finalist at Roland Garros in 2019, won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and is currently ranked No. 6.But she never stood a chance against Swiatek, who compiled 25 winners to just 10 unforced errors. Swiatek, a 23-year-old from Poland, faced just one break point — and, naturally, she saved it.Jabeur's mix of speeds and spins gave Gauff fits at times. And as well-known as Gauff is for her ability to cover the court and play defense, Jabeur managed to keep coming up with winners, finishing with 30 in all."She was playing really well the whole match. She was hitting a lot of winners on me, which is something I’m not used to against anybody,” Gauff said. “So today I was just trying to just be aggressive toward the end.”Gauff pulled away to a 5-2 lead in the last set, then needed a trio of match points to close things out, acknowledging afterward that maybe she grew a little tight down the stretch. The last game was key, with Gauff needing to save a break point, then Jabeur dismissing one match point with a disguised drop shot that earned a roar from the stands that the 29-year-old Tunisian responded to by putting her right index finger to her ear.But on Gauff's next opportunity to seal the victory, Jabeur badly flubbed an overhead. Gauff smiled, then raised her arms and yelled.With the crowd at the main stadium loudly supporting Jabeur at times, Gauff did not play badly in the opening set. But No. 8 seed Jabeur — a three-time major finalist — was superb, winning 17 of 18 first-serve points, never facing a single break point, and accumulating a 12-5 edge in total winners. When she delivered an ace at 114 mph (184 kph) to end the set, Jabeur nodded repeatedly."She’s a tough opponent and she’s well-loved on tour. I could tell by the crowd today — I know you guys wanted her to win. Honestly, whenever she’s not playing (me), I cheer for her, too,” Gauff said. “Even though you guys were for Ons, I really had a lot of fun, even when I lost the first set and they were chanting when I was in the bathroom," Gauff said about her trip off the court after the first set. "I was like, ‘This is just really fun, win or lose.’ It is.”Gauff got going after that, raising her level and trying to gain the upper hand during lengthier exchanges. She put in 16 winners over the last two sets, while breaking serve four times.“I know I have a lot of love here in Paris. Trust me, I know," said Gauff, who won the French Open junior title at age 14. "So I really appreciate it, and hopefully you guys can help me make it through the next round.”

Iga Swiatek's relentless dominance at Roland Garros continued on Tuesday as she cruised past Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2 to reach the semifinals. The top seed extended her winning streak to 35 consecutive sets, including three straight bagel sets in Paris.Swiatek's resurgence since her near-elimination against Naomi Osaka in the second round has been remarkable. She has dropped only 10 games in her last three matches, showcasing her exceptional form and mental fortitude. Against Vondrousova, she was in complete control, striking 25 winners to 15 unforced errors.The Czech challenger, who had never won a set against Swiatek in their previous encounters, managed to hold serve once in the second set but was unable to make any significant impact on the match. Swiatek's relentless aggression and pinpoint accuracy proved too much to handle.In the semifinals, Swiatek will face No. 3 seed Coco Gauff, who overcame Ons Jabeur in a thrilling three-set battle. The Pole holds a commanding 10-1 head-to-head record against Gauff, including a 4-0 advantage on clay.Swiatek's current form suggests that she is the overwhelming favorite to win her fourth Roland Garros title. Her ability to dominate opponents with such ease is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination.

Alexander Zverev's resilience was tested once again at the French Open as he battled through a grueling five-set marathon against Holger Rune in the last 16. The German fourth seed emerged victorious after four hours and 11 minutes of intense play, securing a 4-6, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 triumph.Zverev's victory sets up a quarter-final clash against Alex de Minaur. It also marks the second-latest finish in the tournament's history, ending at 1:40 am local time, just behind Novak Djokovic's 3:07 am win over Lorenzo Musetti on Sunday morning."What a match," exclaimed Zverev after the epic encounter. "I'm lucky to be through."The German is aiming for his fourth consecutive Roland Garros semi-final appearance, having reached the last eight for the sixth time in seven years. However, his performance comes amidst an ongoing trial in Berlin over allegations of assaulting an ex-girlfriend.Zverev's path to the quarter-finals has been far from straightforward. In the third round, he overcame Tallon Griekspoor in a deciding set, despite trailing by a double-break at 4-1."I've played a total of eight-and-a-half hours over the last three days, so I need to recover," said Zverev. "I need to do everything possible to be ready for the quarter-final match."Zverev's victory highlights his determination and ability to overcome adversity. Despite the challenges he faces both on and off the court, he remains a formidable force in the world of tennis.

Seventh seed Casper Ruud has reached the Roland Garros quarterfinals for the third consecutive year, setting up a highly anticipated rematch with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.Ruud overcame a spirited challenge from 12th-seeded Taylor Fritz, prevailing 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. The Norwegian saved a set point in the opening tie-break and rallied from a break down in the third set to secure the victory."It was a tough match," Ruud said. "I had to stay focused and fight for every point. I'm happy to have come through in the end."Ruud's victory sets up a tantalizing clash with Djokovic, who has won the French Open twice in the past three years. The pair last met in the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters in April, where Ruud emerged victorious.However, Djokovic has a formidable record at Roland Garros, having won the tournament 24 times. He has also shown resilience in this year's edition, battling back from two sets down in the second round against Francisco Cerundolo.Despite Djokovic's recent physical struggles, Ruud is not taking anything for granted."I don't expect him to surrender at all," Ruud said. "I have to expect him to be fresh, ready, and that it's going to be a tough match."Ruud has also faced challenges en route to the quarterfinals, dropping four sets in the process. He was pushed to five sets by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round and came through in four against Tomas Martin Etcheverry."I think, honestly, I ended up in a pretty tough section of the draw," Ruud said. "But I've been able to overcome some good players."Ruud's success at Roland Garros is a testament to his exceptional clay-court skills. He has won eight titles on the surface, including the Geneva Open earlier this year.The Norwegian is confident in his ability to challenge Djokovic, but he knows it will be a daunting task."I'm going to try to learn from last year's final," Ruud said. "I got an early break in the first set, but I lost it on the tiebreak. It was a long, tough, physical set. I'm going to try to be better prepared this time."

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has once again demonstrated his remarkable resilience and fighting spirit by overcoming a two-set deficit to defeat Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in a thrilling five-set encounter at the French Open. The victory marks Djokovic's 15th consecutive quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros, extending his impressive record at the tournament.Despite suffering an injury to his right knee, Djokovic displayed unwavering determination and grit throughout the match. After dropping the first set 6-1, he fought back to win the second 7-5. However, Cerundolo, ranked 23rd in the world, showed great tenacity and took the third and fourth sets 6-3 and 7-5, respectively.Undeterred, Djokovic refused to surrender and rallied in the fifth set. He broke Cerundolo's serve in the 11th game and held his own serve to secure a hard-fought 6-3 victory. The match lasted an grueling four hours and 39 minutes, a testament to the intense battle that unfolded on court.Djokovic's victory is a testament to his exceptional physical and mental strength. Despite the injury and the adversity he faced, he remained focused and determined to overcome the challenge. His ability to dig deep and find a way to win even when the odds are stacked against him is a hallmark of his greatness.The Serbian star will now face Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, a rematch of last year's thrilling semi-final. Nadal, a 13-time French Open champion, will be a formidable opponent, but Djokovic will be confident in his ability to produce another stunning performance and continue his quest for a third consecutive Roland Garros title.

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden displayed resilience and determination to overcome a spirited challenge from N Sriram Balaji and MA Reyes-Varela Martinez in the French Open men's doubles third round. The second-seeded Indo-Australian duo rallied from a one-set deficit to secure a hard-fought 6-7(2) 6-3 7-6 (10-8) victory on Monday.The opening set was a closely contested affair, with both pairs holding serve comfortably. However, Balaji and Reyes-Varela seized the initiative in the tie-break, racing to a 4-1 lead. Despite Bopanna and Ebden's efforts, the unseeded pair converted their first set point with a wide serve.Undeterred, Bopanna and Ebden regrouped in the second set. They broke Balaji's serve early on and maintained their advantage throughout, forcing a third set. The deciding set was a tense battle, with neither pair able to gain a decisive edge.As the set progressed, the games were held at love, highlighting the intensity of the competition. Ebden faced pressure serving at 5-6 but delivered under duress. The Super Tie-breaker was equally gripping, with the pairs locked at 6-6.However, Balaji's double fault at 7-8 handed Bopanna and Ebden two match points. They saved the first when Ebden's overhead smash went into the net, but the Australian found a winner on the next to seal the victory.Bopanna, who is yet to finalize his partner for the Paris Games, will have been impressed by Balaji's performance. The seasoned Coorgi is only the third Indian to win Grand Slam titles and has the choice to select his partner for the Games.