Novak Djokovic says his knee surgery ‘went well’ and he wants a return to action soon
- The Serb had an operation on Wednesday after tearing a meniscus at the French Open, threatening his Wimbledon and Paris Olympics prospects
Novak Djokovic said on Thursday the surgery on his right knee, which he injured during the French Open, “went well” and that he hopes to return to competition “as soon as possible”.
Djokovic had an operation in Paris on Wednesday, two days after he hurt it early in the second set of a five-set victory against Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round.
The 37-year-old withdrew from the clay-court grand slam tournament – where he was the defending champion – on Tuesday, and was unable to play in the quarter-finals.
The French Open said MRI results revealed that Djokovic, who had played on with painkillers, had suffered a torn medial meniscus, which prompted him to take the decision to have surgery.
The injury, which could also threaten his Wimbledon and Olympic chances, ended the Serb’s quest to win a record-extending 25th grand slam trophy and will result in him losing his top ranking to Italian Jannik Sinner on Monday.
“In the past day, I had to make some tough decisions after sustaining a meniscus tear during my last match,” Djokovic wrote on social media on Thursday, when he posted a photo showing him with crutches and the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
“I’m still processing it all but I am happy to update you that the surgery went well. I am so appreciative of the team of doctors who have been by my side
“I’m going to do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible,” he wrote. “My love for this sport is strong and the desire to compete at the highest level is what keeps me going.”
He also thanked his fans for their “overwhelming support”.
It is unclear exactly how long his recovery will take and when he will be able to play next.
Wimbledon, where he has won seven of his 24 srand slam titles, begins on July 1. The tennis events for the Paris Olympics start on July 27 at Roland Garros, the site of the French Open.
Djokovic was supposed to face No 7 seed Casper Ruud, the runner-up in each of the past two years in Paris, in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Instead, Ruud got a walkover into the semi-finals, where he will face No 4 Alexander Zverev on Friday.
The other men’s semi-final will be second-seed Sinner against No 3 Carlos Alcaraz.
With Djokovic, the owner of three French Open titles, gone from the bracket, and Rafael Nadal – owner of a record 14 – eliminated in the first round, someone will be holding the French Open men’s trophy for the first time on Sunday.
And on Monday, when the new ATP rankings are released, Djokovic will slide down from the top spot and be replaced by Sinner, who becomes the first Italian man to get to No 1.
The injury was the latest in a series of unfortunate events for Djokovic, who won three out of the four majors last year but has looked off the pace this season.
He has not won a title in 2024 and suffered a semi-final defeat by eventual winner Sinner at the Australian Open in January.
