Roland Garros: Five things we learned on Day 10 – there's a new kid in town
Novak Djokovic had to go. Ons Jabeur had a go before she went. And there's a new man at the top. Moreover, exactly where is the concept of equality residing in the French tennis federation? The review's eagle-eyed after another wild and wacky day at the 2024 French Open.
Gone
Top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic took his leave of the French Open after succumbing to an injury to his right knee. The 37-year-old crocked himself during his fourth round victory over the 23rd seed Francisco Cerundolo on Day 9. Djokovic played brilliantly to stay in the tie before the various on-court potions and treatments kicked in. Just shows that playing for four and a half hours up until 3am on Sunday morning and then coming out on Monday afternoon to battle for four hours and 40 minutes might actually affect even an iron man incarnate.
Going spare
Ons Jabeur was well unhappy about having to start at 11am for her quarter-final against the third seed Coco Gauff. No one was there for the early exchanges as she spinned and beguiled her way to 6-4 in the first set. The Court Philippe Chatrier was a tad fuller by the time that Gauff had turned the tide to claim the quarter-final. Jabeur wondered why there had been none of the night sessions featuring ties from the women's draw. The organisers still say it's about what they consider to be the "big game". A song from ABBA comes to mind.
Long gone
A young Sinner is anointed
