Former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic has withdrawn from the French Open due to an ongoing injury issue.
The 27-year-old has been coping with a problem concerning his right knee throughout the clay season. During the Madrid Open, Raonic confirmed that the issue concerns his meniscus. A piece of cartridge which acts as a shock absorber between the thigh-bone and shin-bone. He told reporters that he had experienced a similar issue in the past, but this one was to a ‘lesser’ extent. Earlier this week he also pulled out of the Italian Masters in Rome.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am withdrawing from @rolandgarros,” Raonic wrote on Twitter.
“I have many great memories there, but I know I need to continue working hard to put myself in the best position when I step out on the court.
“Thank you all for your support and see you soon on the grass.”
Raonic has now missed two of the last three grand slam events due to health issues. Last year he was absent from the US Open due to a wrist injury. Currently ranked 22nd in the world, the Canadian was defending 180 points at Roland Garros following his run to the fourth round last year. Meaning that he will likely drop out of the top 30 in the near future.
A former world No.3, the 27-year-old looked to be returning back towards his best tennis during the American hardcourt swing. Reaching the semifinals at Indian Wells followed by the quarter-finals in Miami. More recently, he dismissed Grigor Dimitrov in Madrid to score his first win over a top 10 players this season. His run was ended in the quarter-finals by compatriot Denis Shapovalov.
As a consequence of Raonic’s withdrawal, Luxemburg’s Gilles Muller will be seeded in Paris. Meanwhile, Australia’s James Duckworth has been elevated into the main draw for the first time since 2015.
Raonic is scheduled to return at the start of the grass swing. He is set to play in Germany at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, which will get underway on June 11th.
