Alex De Minaur has been forced to withdraw from Wimbledon ahead of his quarter-final with Novak Djokovic due to injury.
De Minaur, the boyfriend of British No 1 Katie Boulter, sustained the issue at the end of his fourth-round victory over Arthur Fils on Monday. The ninth seed played down the scare despite an initial shake of the head in the direction of his box on Court One, but shortly after midday on the day of his scheduled Centre Court clash with Djokovic, De Minaur pulled out of the Championships.
“Obviously not an announcement I wanted to make by any means,” De Minaur said. “Yeah, I’m devastated but had to pull out due to a hip injury. I felt a loud crack during the last three points of my match against Fils and got a scan yesterday. It confirmed this was the injury and with high risk of making it worse if I was to step on court.
Djokovic’s return to Wimbledon was eagerly anticipated after he criticised the Centre Court crowd following his previous match. He hit out at the crowd for supposedly booing him during victory over Holger Rune and tennis legend John McEnroe has subsequently backed the Serb’s position.
The other men’s singles quarter-final sees Taylor Fritz face Lorenzo Musetti on Court 1, while the women’s singles quarter-finals see 2022 champion Elena Rybakina facing Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina and a battle of two former French Open winners as Jelena Ostapenko takes on Barbora Krejcikova.
Follow all the latest scores and match updates from Wimbledon below:
Alex de Minaur withdraws from Wimbledon prior to quarter-final against Novak Djokovic
The Australian No 1, enjoying the best season of his career, sustained an injury on match point against Arthur Fils in his fourth-round match on Monday.
De Minaur’s persona immediately changed and despite playing down the hip injury in his press conference afterwards, his withdrawal was confirmed on Wednesday lunchtime.
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic therefore receives a walkover to Friday’s semi-finals, where he will play either Taylor Fritz or Lorenzo Musetti.
Luke Baker10 July 2024 12:36
Wimbledon 2024 – Elena Rybakina:
“Really pleased with the way I played today, thank you so much for coming and supporting us. It’s always tough to play against Elina, great player and fighter, no matter the score it was not as easy as it might have looked like.
“I have such amazing memories from 2022, I’m enjoying every time I step on the court.
Are you favourite? “I don’t like it. I have an aggressive style of game, huge serves, big advantage. But for now, match by match, looking forward to the next one!”
Kieran Jackson10 July 2024 14:45
Wimbledon 2024: Elena Rybakina 6-3 6-2 Elina Svitolina – GAME, SET AND MATCH!
Too much power, too much accuracy from the Kazakh and she’s through to the semi-finals at Wimbledon!
Sealed to love and with an ace!
Svitolina takes a huge round of applause as she departs the Centre Court stage, the Ukrainian’s journey this year ends at the quarter-final stage!
Kieran Jackson10 July 2024 14:39
Wimbledon 2024: *Elena Rybakina 6-3 5-2 Elina Svitolina
From 0-30, Svitolina does well to find her first serve twice for 30-30 – before double-faulting for 30-40.
The Ukrainian has a devastated look on her face prior to break point, but Rybakina goes long for deuce!
Yet the Kazakh doesn’t let her off the hook. Rybakina hits a smashing backhand return on the line before Svitolina goes wide to hand a double break.
Kieran Jackson10 July 2024 14:35
Wimbledon 2024: Latest scores
Back on serve at 5-5 in the second-set on Court 1!
Kieran Jackson10 July 2024 14:32
Wimbledon 2024: Elena Rybakina 6-3 4-2 Elina Svitolina*
Again, just no way for Svitolina to make any inroads when Rybakina bombs down her first serve!
Svitolina gives away the game to love as an ambitious drop-shot attempt hits the net.
Rybakina just two games away now…
Kieran Jackson10 July 2024 14:31
Wimbledon 2024: *Elena Rybakina 6-3 3-2 Elina Svitolina
An impressive hold to love from Elina Svitolina!
The Ukrainian hit a beautiful backhand pass at 30-0 which Rybakina couldn’t return – Svitolina is not playing at a bad level!
She just needs to find a way to gain some momentum on return!
Kieran Jackson10 July 2024 14:29
Wimbledon 2024: Latest scores
A huge shift of momentum on Court 1!
From a break up in the second set, Jelena Ostapenko is now a break down at 5-4 – and Barbora Krejcikova is serving for the match!
Kieran Jackson10 July 2024 14:27
Wimbledon 2024: Elena Rybakina 6-3 3-1 Elina Svitolina*
Svitolina again gets herself in the game, with Rybakina double-faulting for 30-30, but the 2022 champion’s first-serve and follow-up forehand combination has been so effective today.
She restores her two-game lead as Svitolina goes long with a backhand pass.
Kieran Jackson10 July 2024 14:26
Wimbledon 2024: *Elena Rybakina 6-3 2-1 Elina Svitolina
Big hold for Svitolina that.
To 30, as she finds her first serve and Rybakina goes long on return!
Kieran Jackson10 July 2024 14:22