Novak Djokovic injury:  What Jannik Sinner said after replacing Serbian as World No. 1

Jannik Sinner will displace Novak Djokovic as World No. 1 after the Serbian's Roland Garros withdrawal (Imago/PanoramiC)

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Novak Djokovic injury: What Jannik Sinner said after replacing Serbian as World No. 1 (Imago/PanoramiC)

Novak Djokovic injury: What Jannik Sinner said after replacing Serbian as World No. 1

Seye Omidiora 17:14 - 04.06.2024

The Italian will make history when the new rankings are revealed next Monday following the 24-time Grand Slam winner’s Roland Garros withdrawal.

Novak Djokovic will be replaced by Jannik Sinner as World No. 1 when the new rankings are revealed on Monday, June 10, 2024. 

Why has Sinner displaced Djokovic?

The 24-time Grand Slam champion needed to progress to the Roland Garros final to avoid losing the No. 1 ranking, but that ambition went up in smoke after the Serbian’s withdrawal at the French Open. 

Djokovic was slated to play Casper Ruud in Wednesday’s quarterfinal, a rematch of last year’s decider, but the 37-year-old will not take to the court for that match because of the injury to his right knee. 

What Sinner said after replacing Djokovic as World No. 1?

Novak Djokovic will be displaced as World No. 1 by Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner will replace Novak Djokovic in the updated rankings (Imago/ABACAPRESS)

The news of Djokovic’s withdrawal broke in the third set of Sinner’s quarter-final win over Grigor Dimitrov, but the Italian was briefed before his post-match interview on Philippe-Chatrier. 

“What can I say. First of all, it is every player's dream to become No. 1 in the world," Sinner said after beating Dimitrov in straight sets. "In the other way, seeing Novak retiring here I think is disappointing. I wish him a speedy recovery." 

What comes next for Sinner?

Tuesday’s win means the Italian is undefeated in Grand Slams in 2024, taking the Australian Open champion to 12-0 at majors this season. 

Sinner will battle either Carlos Alcaraz or Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-final. 

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