BENGALURU, JUNE 5  :   Tennis fans around the globe were dealt a shocking blow as news broke that Novak Djokovic, the world’s No. 1 tennis player, will undergo knee surgery in Paris, effectively ruling him out of the upcoming Wimbledon Championships.

The Serbian superstar sustained the injury during an epic five-set victory over Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round of the French Open on Monday, which marked his second consecutive five-set marathon. An MRI scan on Tuesday confirmed the worst fears: a torn medial meniscus in his right knee.

In a heartfelt social media post, Djokovic expressed his disappointment: “I played with my heart and gave my all in yesterday’s match. 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 24-time Grand Slam champion is scheduled for surgery in Paris today. This procedure not only sidelines him from Wimbledon, starting on July 1, but also casts a shadow of doubt over his participation in the Paris Olympics, slated to begin just over seven weeks from now on the same Roland-Garros clay courts.

Winning an Olympic gold medal has been a long-standing goal for Djokovic, who has openly stated his desire to achieve this milestone. His potential absence from the Games would be a significant blow, not just for him but for the entire tennis community and the Olympic tournament.

Djokovic’s injury comes at a critical juncture in the tennis calendar. He had identified the trio of Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the Olympics as the key events for his season. The recovery period for a torn medial meniscus can range from six weeks to three months, making his participation in the Olympics highly uncertain.

Adding to the drama, Djokovic had voiced his concerns about the condition of the Roland-Garros courts throughout his matches. He repeatedly requested more frequent court sweeps to prevent clay build-up, which he felt contributed to his multiple slips during the Cerundolo match. These slips, according to Djokovic, were a significant factor in his injury.

The connection between the court conditions at Roland Garros and Djokovic’s injury has now become a contentious issue, raising questions about player safety and tournament management. The French Open organisers are under scrutiny as the repercussions of this incident could reverberate through to the Olympic Games.

As fans, fellow players, and officials alike grapple with the implications of Djokovic’s injury, one thing remains clear, the tennis world will miss its defending champion at Wimbledon, and the road to the Olympics has become a race against time for the sport’s reigning king.(UNI)