Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic underwent successful surgery on his right knee in Paris on Wednesday, after suffering an injury during his French Open match against Francisco Cerundolo. The 37-year-old Serbian player shared the news of his operation and subsequent recovery on social media, expressing gratitude to the medical team that attended to him.
Djokovic was forced to withdraw from the clay-court Grand Slam tournament on Tuesday, which marked the first time in his career that he has not competed in a quarterfinal of a major tennis event. The defending champion had injured his knee early in the second set of his four-round match against Cerundolo, leading to the operation and subsequent withdrawal from the competition.
In a social media post, Djokovic thanked fans for their overwhelming support during this challenging time. He also expressed his determination to return to the court as soon as possible, with his love for the sport and desire to compete at the highest level driving his recovery process.
The exact timeline for Djokovic’s return to the tennis circuit remains uncertain. However, there are key events on the horizon that he may aim to participate in, including Wimbledon starting on July 1, and the Paris Olympics commencing on July 27 at Roland Garros, the site of the French Open.
Djokovic’s absence from the French Open has left the men’s bracket wide open for a new champion to emerge. With both Djokovic and Rafael Nadal eliminated from the tournament, someone will hold the French Open men’s trophy for the first time on Sunday. Furthermore, when the new ATP rankings are released on Monday, Jannik Sinner is set to become the first Italian man to reach the No. 1 spot in singles tennis.