Tennis

Novak Djokovic's Roland Garros campaign has come to an abrupt end due to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee, raising questions about his decision to rely heavily on pain-killing medication to continue playing.Djokovic's injury occurred during his fourth-round match against Francisco Cerundolo, where he initially struggled with mobility and pain. However, after taking the maximum amount of medication allowed by the tournament doctor, he experienced a remarkable transformation, playing pain-free and ultimately winning the match.This decision has sparked concerns about the potential long-term consequences for Djokovic's career. The injury has put his immediate future in jeopardy, including his participation in Wimbledon and the Olympic Games.Djokovic's decision to continue playing despite the injury is puzzling, especially considering his age (37) and the potential risks involved. The injury is similar to one suffered by Roger Federer in 2016, which significantly impacted his career.Djokovic's injury also raises questions about the role of pain-killing medication in sports. While it can provide temporary relief, it can also mask underlying issues and potentially lead to further damage.The Serbian star has been experiencing mild discomfort in his knee for several weeks, but he dismissed it as nothing concerning. However, the severity of the injury suggests that he may have underestimated the problem.Djokovic's withdrawal from Roland Garros is a major setback for the tournament and for the player himself. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to recover in time for Wimbledon and the Olympics, and whether this injury will have a lasting impact on his career.

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."

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian tennis star, has emerged as a beacon of joy and camaraderie at the ongoing Roland Garros tournament. Her infectious enthusiasm and playful antics have brought smiles to the faces of fellow players and fans alike.On Monday, as Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka secured their spots in the quarterfinals, Jabeur played a behind-the-scenes role in their celebrations. After Sabalenka's victory, she joined the Belarusian in a spontaneous dance break, much to the delight of the crowd.Jabeur's playful spirit extended to Djokovic as well. Before his third-round match, she greeted him with a hug and dubbed him the "minister of playing late," a reference to his marathon match the previous night. Djokovic couldn't help but chuckle at her wit.Jabeur's social media presence also reflects her positive attitude. After Djokovic's hard-fought victory, she took to Twitter to praise his resilience, writing, "Never underestimate the heart of a champion."On Tuesday, Jabeur will take center stage when she faces Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals. Her infectious energy and playful nature are sure to create a memorable atmosphere on Court Philippe-Chatrier.Jabeur's presence at Roland Garros has not only been a source of entertainment but also a reminder of the importance of joy and camaraderie in sports. Her ability to spread happiness and connect with others is a testament to her character and the spirit of the game.

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."

Matthew McConaughey, the renowned actor and avid tennis enthusiast, has unequivocally declared Novak Djokovic as the "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) following the Serbian's remarkable comebacks at the Roland Garros.Djokovic's relentless spirit and exceptional mental fortitude were on full display as he overcame Lorenzo Musetti in a grueling five-set marathon that concluded at 3:07 a.m. on Sunday. Just 37 hours later, he returned to the court and outlasted Francisco Cerundolo in a four-hour and 39-minute battle.McConaughey, who has witnessed Djokovic's triumphs firsthand, including his record-tying 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open last year, hailed the world No. 1 as "more than a mental machine." The actor's admiration for Djokovic extends beyond the tennis court, as they share a personal connection through McConaughey's wife, Camila Alves."I'm a big fan," McConaughey said. "What a surgeon, and a warrior. The resilience of what he's done, he's amazing."Djokovic's ability to push through adversity and emerge victorious has left an indelible mark on McConaughey. The actor believes that Djokovic's unwavering determination and mental toughness set him apart from his peers.As Djokovic continues his pursuit of tennis history, McConaughey remains a staunch supporter, recognizing the Serbian's exceptional talent and unwavering spirit.

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.

Novak Djokovic, the defending champion and 24-time Grand Slam winner, will aim to extend his record-breaking streak of 14 consecutive French Open quarter-finals on Monday. However, his latest victory came at a cost, setting an unwanted record for the latest finish in Roland Garros history.Djokovic's five-set epic against Lorenzo Musetti concluded at 3:07 a.m. Sunday, leaving the 37-year-old Serbian questioning the scheduling. "Certain things could have been handled differently," he said. "There is a certain beauty in winning at three in the morning if it's the last of the tournament, but this wasn't the case."Despite the late finish, Djokovic remains focused on his goal of reaching the last eight. He will face Argentine 23rd seed Francisco Cerundolo, who stunned Alexander Zverev on clay earlier this season. Cerundolo has never met Djokovic before, but he has shown impressive form in Paris, reaching the last 16 in 2023.Zverev, who defeated Rafael Nadal in the first round, survived a scare against Tallon Griekspoor in the third round, battling back from 4-1 down in the final set. The German is playing under the shadow of an ongoing trial in Berlin over allegations of assaulting an ex-girlfriend.Holger Rune, a two-time quarter-finalist in Paris, will face fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev reached the quarter-finals in 2021, ending a run of four successive first-round losses. Casper Ruud, the runner-up to Nadal and Djokovic in the last two years, will tackle Taylor Fritz for a quarter-final spot.In the women's tournament, world number two Aryna Sabalenka will play American 22nd seed Emma Navarro. Sabalenka has made at least the last four at her past six Grand Slams, while Navarro is in the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time.Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will face experienced Ukrainian 15th seed Elina Svitolina. Rybakina is the only woman to defeat world number one Iga Swiatek on clay this season. Moscow-born French player Varvara Gracheva will play 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, the Russian teenager who is the youngest woman to reach the last 16 on all three Slam surfaces since Anna Kournikova in 1998.

Novak Djokovic's marathon victory over Lorenzo Musetti at Roland Garros has raised concerns about his fitness ahead of his fourth-round clash with Francisco Cerundolo. The match, which ended at 3:07 am local time, was the latest ever at the tournament.Djokovic's grueling encounter with Musetti, coupled with his age and the quick turnaround before facing Cerundolo, has led some experts to question whether he will be at his best. The Argentinean, known for his erratic but powerful play, poses a unique challenge for Djokovic.Cerundolo's aggressive baseline game, featuring a devastating forehand, could trouble Djokovic, who struggled to hit through Musetti's defense. Additionally, Cerundolo's mobility and willingness to take risks could put Djokovic on the move and test his endurance.While Djokovic's superior tennis IQ and experience should ultimately prevail, Cerundolo has the potential to win a set or two. A 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 loss would be enough for Cerundolo to cover the 7.5-game spread.Experts believe that Cerundolo's similarities to Musetti, who pushed Djokovic to the limit, make him a dangerous opponent. If Cerundolo can avoid unforced errors and maintain his aggressive style, he could make Djokovic work hard for the victory.

The contrast between the allure of tennis for spectators and the grueling demands it places on players is starkly evident in the wee hours of the morning. For fans, these late-night matches are unforgettable spectacles, etched into memory. However, for the players, they represent a relentless physical and mental toll that extends far beyond the final point.The ultra-early morning matches in professional tennis are akin to taking on a second mortgage, with each additional hour of play compounding the debt. In the aftermath of the epic four-hour and 32-minute battle between Lorenzo Musetti and Novak Djokovic, the question arises: who will bear the greater burden?Musetti, who had endured a disappointing clay court season, showed flashes of brilliance against Djokovic. Despite losing the first two sets, he rallied to take the third, showcasing his aggressive shot-making and elegant one-handed backhand. However, Djokovic's experience and tenacity proved too much, as he dominated the decider 6-0.The match's late start, due to rain delays, pushed the finish well past midnight. Musetti's ability to challenge Djokovic but ultimately fall short evoked a comment from Jimmy Connors: "I knew he could cut me; he just couldn't kill me."The implications of playing past midnight are staggering. Djokovic, who likely needed to be on court until at least 3:00 a.m., would have faced a recovery process that extended into the early hours of the morning. Yet, he displayed his trademark resilience, defining time as simply the moment of the next point.Djokovic's excellence stems from his unwavering ability to embrace struggle, stay present, and solve the problems presented to him. As the fifth set began past 2:30 a.m., his experience and mental fortitude proved invaluable.Despite the late hour, Djokovic's victory raises questions about its impact on his next match, scheduled for Monday. However, as Musetti learned firsthand, questioning Djokovic's ability to overcome adversity is often futile. At 37, Djokovic remains a formidable force, proving that a lion in winter is still a lion.