Novak Djokovic makes final push for French Open 2024, accepts wildcard to ATP Geneva Open taking place a week before Roland Garros
Novak Djokovic, in a surprise development, has decided to play the week before the 2024 French Open. The Serb has accepted the wildcard offer from the Geneva Open, an ATP 250 tournament taking place from May 18 to 25.
Djokovic is yet to reach a final this year heading into Roland Garros and was last in action at the Italian Open last week. He faced a shock exit in Rome in the third round, falling in straight sets to Alejandro Tabilo.
Reports emerged on social media on Thursday that the 24-time Grand Slam champion was offered a wildcard by the Geneva organizers, allowing him the chance to make one final push for form ahead of the stint in Paris.
On Friday, France's L'Equipe confirmed that the World No. 1 has taken them up on the offer, following which several trustworthy sources also confirmed the news.
Djokovic will be joined at the Geneva Open by the likes of Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Jack Draper. Nicolas Jarry is the defending champion, but the Chilean withdrew ahead of the tournament after reaching the semifinals of the Italian Open this week.
The Serb has never won the title in Geneva in the past and could become the first player from his country to do so if he takes home the trophy next week.
Novak Djokovic sustained a head injury at the recently-concluded Italian Open, now given the all-clear
Novak Djokovic, before his loss at the Italian Open, suffered a shock head injury during the tournament, when a bottle accidentally slipped out of a fan's backpack and hit him on the head.
The World No. 1 explained afterwards that he suffered some light blood loss and nausea due to the incident, and that he would be going for medical scans due to the concerns that the injury played a role in his defeat in Rome.
"It was a very unfortunate, unlucky situation for me. It was an accident where that guy leaned over the fence, and the bottle dropped from his rucksack and landed directly on my head. It was unexpected obviously. I wasn't even looking up. Then I felt a very strong hit in the head," Djokovic said.
That has, yeah, really impacted me a lot. After that I got the medical care. Been through half an hour, an hour of nausea, dizziness, blood, a lot of different things. I didn't do any scans or any tests. Right now, I feel like I should do it, so... I will do it and let's see. Let's see what's happening," he added.
As per the latest reports, the tests have come back with good news, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion having been given the all-clear to begin competing again without worry about concussions.