French Open 2024: Injury Changes Fate for Novak Djokovic as Bettors Lean Toward QF Opponent Casper Ruud in Bizarre Scenes

The ongoing Roland Garros has been a thrilling roller coaster ride for spectators. The tennis community witnessed unexpected twists and turns throughout the first four rounds. As the French Open reaches the quarter-finals, speculation about who will claim the title is heating up. Meanwhile, ahead of his encounter with the World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud seems to be the favorite of not only fans but bettors as well.

It’s rare to see the Serbian tennis legend in an underdog position at a Grand Slam event, but this time, he’s not the crowd’s favorite going into the quarter-finals. Djokovic has faced some tough matches in the ongoing French Open, particularly in the third and fourth rounds. He spent over nine hours on the court in his last two games combined. His match against Lorenzo Musetti stretched until 3 AM and went to five sets and more than four hours.

Similarly, his encounter with Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo lasted 4.5 hours. In a major scare, Djokovic only made a comeback in the final two sets. Notably, both Musetti and Cerundolo are not seeded in the top 20, unlike the World Number 1. Given his struggles against lower-ranked players, fans anticipate that he will face significant challenges against World Number 7, Ruud. 

In contrast, Ruud has had a relatively smoother run. He played only one five-setter in the tournament’s second round against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. These performances have left fans questioning Djokovic’s form and readiness. Bettors too, have started leaning towards Casper ahead of the match.

the 24-time Grand Slam champion has faced considerable difficulties this season. While he reached the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters, he was ousted in the third round of the Italian Open. Skipping the Miami Open and Madrid Open has also contributed to his title-less season so far. On the other hand, Ruud has had a stellar season, winning the Barcelona Open and Geneva Open and finishing as the runner-up in the Monte Carlo Masters.

Adding to Djokovic’s woes, his knee has troubled him at Roland Garros, casting doubt on his fitness for the quarter-finals. This injury concern only adds to the challenges he faces in his upcoming match against Ruud. 

Will Novak Djokovic even play in the quarter-finals?

After his grueling fourth-round encounter with Francisco Cerundolo, Novak Djokovic cast doubts about his participation in the quarter-finals. He struggled significantly in his last match, needing the assistance of a physio. “I don’t know what will happen tomorrow — or the day after, if I’ll be able to step out on the court and play,” the Serb said after the match.

Despite these concerns, Casper Ruud remains focused and prepared to face Djokovic in the quarter-finals. “I don’t expect him to surrender at all. I have to expect him to be fresh, ready, and that it’s going to be a tough match,” Ruud had commented earlier, about facing his tough contender.

The two players have a recent history at Roland Garros, having faced each other in last year’s finals, where Ruud was defeated in straight sets. This upcoming match presents Ruud with a chance to redeem himself and advance further in the tournament. The anticipation is high as both players prepare for what promises to be an intense showdown.