Novak Djokovic is set to undergo surgery on a torn medial meniscus in his right knee, effectively ruling him out of Wimbledon, according to French newspaper L’Equipe.
The surgery, scheduled for Wednesday in Paris, follows an injury sustained during a grueling five-set victory over Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round of Roland-Garros.
An MRI scan revealed the extent of the injury, prompting Djokovic to withdraw from the clay-court tournament. The 24-time Grand Slam champion shared his disappointment on social media, stating, “I played with my heart and gave my all in yesterday’s match and unfortunately, due to a medial meniscus tear in my right knee, my team and I had to make a tough decision after careful consideration and consultation.”
The injury comes at a critical time for Djokovic, as he had highlighted the three-month period encompassing Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the Olympics as the most crucial stretch of his season.
Despite the setback, there is hope that Djokovic might recover in time for the Paris Olympics, set to begin in just over seven weeks. The recovery period for such an injury can range from six weeks to three months.
Djokovic’s absence from Wimbledon is a significant blow, not only for the tournament but also for his personal goals. Winning a medal at the Olympics, preferably gold, remains one of his primary targets for the year.
Adding to the frustration, Djokovic repeatedly voiced concerns about the condition of the Roland-Garros courts during his matches, suggesting that inadequate maintenance contributed to his injury. His requests for more frequent sweeping of the courts were denied by tournament supervisors.
