After blaming the “slippery” Roland Garros clay courts for exacerbating the issue after his fourth-round triumph on Monday, Serbia’s Djokovic underwent a scan on the injury on Tuesday.
Later on Tuesday, the top seed declared his retirement from the Grand Slam competition.
On Wednesday, the 37-year-old was scheduled to face Casper Ruud, a seventh seed from Norway, in the round of eight.
Djokovic’s right knee has a damaged medial meniscus, according to the scan.
Djokovic stated, “I am really sorry to announce that I have to withdraw.”
“My team and I had to make a tough decision after careful consideration and consultation.”
His dreams of setting a new all-time record by winning a Grand Slam title on the Paris clay have been dashed by the injury.
After the French Open, Djokovic will also lose his position as the world’s top seed, with Italy’s Jannik Sinner taking his place.
Whether he can be well in time for Wimbledon, where he has won seven times, is still to be determined.
