By In a surprising turn of events at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic advanced to the semifinals without hitting a ball in the quarterfinals, as his opponent, Alex de Minaur, withdrew due to a hip injury. The withdrawal occurred just hours before their highly anticipated match at Centre Court, leaving fans and players alike in a state of shock and disappointment.
Alex de Minaur, the ninth-seeded Australian, made the difficult announcement on Wednesday morning, citing a severe hip injury as the reason for his withdrawal. De Minaur, visibly distressed, addressed the media in a news conference, expressing his regret over the decision. “Obviously not an announcement I wanted to make, by any means,” he said. “I’m devastated.”
De Minaur recounted that he first experienced the injury during his hard-fought fourth-round victory over Arthur Fils on Monday. Despite winning the match 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, he felt a significant crack in his hip towards the end of the contest. Although he managed to walk gingerly to the net and downplayed the injury during the post-match interview, the pain persisted.
The injury’s severity became clear after a series of medical examinations on Tuesday. De Minaur’s team and medical staff worked tirelessly to assess his condition and explore every possible treatment to enable him to compete. “I heard a crack, and I knew something was wrong,” de Minaur explained. “We did everything we could to try to make it to the match, but it just wasn’t possible. It’s the biggest match of my career, and to be forced to pull out is incredibly tough to accept.”
De Minaur attempted a light practice session on Wednesday morning, but the pain was too intense, and his mobility was severely restricted. Realizing he could not compete at the level required, he made the heart-wrenching decision to withdraw.
This development grants Novak Djokovic a walkover into the Wimbledon semifinals for the 13th time, tying him with Roger Federer for the most semifinal appearances by a man in the tournament’s history. Djokovic, the second seed, has a formidable record at Wimbledon, having won seven of his 24 Grand Slam titles at the All England Club.
Djokovic expressed his sympathy for de Minaur during his media address, acknowledging the disappointment and difficulty of withdrawing from such a significant match. “It’s always unfortunate when a match ends this way,” Djokovic remarked. “I wish Alex a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the court soon. He’s a great competitor, and it’s always tough to see a fellow player go through this.”
The Serb now awaits the winner of the match between Taylor Fritz and Lorenzo Musetti, scheduled to be played on Friday. Djokovic, who has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, will be preparing rigorously for his semifinal clash, aiming to add another Wimbledon title to his illustrious career.
De Minaur’s withdrawal marks a significant moment in his career. This was his first appearance in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, a milestone that underscores his rising trajectory in the tennis world. Earlier this year, he reached the quarterfinals of the French Open, showcasing his potential and determination.
As the tournament progresses, Djokovic’s path to the final becomes a focal point of interest, with fans eagerly anticipating whether he can secure his eighth Wimbledon title. Meanwhile, de Minaur will focus on recovery, with hopes of returning stronger and continuing his ascent in the tennis ranks.
The Associated Press
