In a significant development at Wimbledon, Australia’s Alex de Minaur has withdrawn from his quarter-final match against Novak Djokovic due to a hip injury.
The No. 9 seed sustained the injury during his fourth-round victory over Arthur Fils, despite initially downplaying its severity.
After securing his first-ever spot in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, De Minaur hoped to compete against the seven-time champion, Djokovic. However, a scan revealed a torn cartilage in his hip, leading to his withdrawal from the tournament. The injury was confirmed after De Minaur experienced a loud crack in his hip during the closing moments of his match against Fils.
Expressing his disappointment, De Minaur stated:
“I’m devastated. I have to pull out due to a hip injury, a tear of the cartilage that connects to the adductors. I felt a loud crack during the last three points of my match against Fils, and a scan confirmed the injury with a high risk of worsening if I played.”
Despite his determination to compete, De Minaur acknowledged the unique nature of his injury and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery time.
“They haven’t been able to tell me a definite recovery plan because it’s such a unique injury. Based on pain right now, it can be anywhere from three to six weeks. It just depends on how quickly my body heals,” he added.
De Minaur also expressed regret about missing the opportunity to play on Centre Court, particularly in front of the British fans who had embraced him as a “token Brit” due to his relationship with British No. 1 Katie Boulter.
“To the British fans that have supported me, I’m extremely disappointed I couldn’t go out there and compete. I felt the love,” he said.
De Minaur’s withdrawal automatically advances Djokovic to the semi-finals, furthering his quest for an eighth Wimbledon title. The Serbian star will now prepare to face his next opponent, aiming to secure another Grand Slam victory.
This unfortunate turn of events highlights the unpredictable nature of sports injuries and their impact on athletes’ careers. Fans and fellow players alike will be hoping for De Minaur’s swift recovery and return to the court.
