“Seeing Novak struggling with his leg…,” Daniil Medvedev picks two players ahead of Novak Djokovic as favorites to win Roland Garros

Medvedev claimed this before the Serb pulled out of the quarterfinal due to his knee injury.

“Seeing Novak struggling with his leg…,” Daniil Medvedev picks two players ahead of Novak Djokovic as favorites to win Roland Garros

Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic (Images via Imago)

Daniil Medvedev doesn’t think Novak Djokovic can become the Grand Slam champion for the 25th time. After his fourth-round loss to Alex de Minaur in the Roland Garros, the Russian explained why the knee injury Djokovic suffered will be hampering his progress in the last few rounds.

Djokovic was set to face Ruud in the quarterfinal, which was scheduled on June 5. The Serb was on the verge of losing his fourth round clash with 23rd seed Francisco Cerundolo and would have retired due to his knee trouble caused due to slipping multiple times on the Philippe-Chatrier court. However, he won the decider and emerged victorious with a 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 scoreline.

YouTube video

The other two title contenders, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, however, defeated players after players in their previous round without much effort, unlike Djokovic’s run, who spent around 13 hours playing matches. Before Cerundolo, Djokovic was on the cusp of losing to Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the third round.

FS Video

His campaigns so far, plus the knee niggle has made Medvedev claim the Serb won’t be able to rewrite history books this time. Medvedev claimed this before the Serb pulled out of the quarterfinal due to the knee injury. 

But I would say that statistically – well, I saw Novak struggling with his leg or something, so this, I don’t know. At the moment seeing Novak struggling with his leg, I would say Carlos or Jannik because they are both playing good. Jannik had a tough one yesterday, managed to come back. So it’s just, you know, statistically, they both have a Slam, they have experience. They are top 2, 3 in the world, so my opinion, Carlos or Jannik.
Daniil Medvedev said at the press conference

Medvedev has never played in Roland Garros final and he will be trying his luck next year. His best performance came in 2021 when he reached the quarterfinal.

Novak Djokovic withdraws from Roland Garros

Now Novak Djokovic won’t be bidding to win his fourth Roland Garros trophy. On June 4, Djokovic shockingly pulled out of Grand Slam event in Paris after aggravating his knee injury.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago)

After he underwent an MRI scan on his right knee, he deemed it best to pull out of the quarterfinal clash with Casper Ruud. Roland Garros announced the same on X handle.

Djokovic’s withdrawal means Jannik Sinner becoming the new World No.1. The Serb had to defend 2000 points by reaching the final and as it won’t happen, Sinner will be crowned as the No.1 player for the first time in his career, plus it also will make him the first player from Italy to stand on the top spot.

In case you missed!