French Open: 'Absurd' - John McEnroe slams Novak Djokovic's schedule at Roland-Garros as star suffers injury

Eurosport expert John McEnroe hit out at Novak Djokovic’s French Open schedule after the world No. 1 appeared to suffer a sudden knee scare in the fourth round. Djokovic’s match against Lorenzo Musetti in the previous round didn’t finish until 3:07am on Sunday morning and he was back on court on Monday afternoon to take on Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.

'In trouble' - Djokovic suffers injury as McEnroe reacts to 'absurd' schedule

Video credit: TNT Sports

John McEnroe hit out at the French Open schedule after Novak Djokovic suffered an injury scare during his fourth-round match against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.

Djokovic, 37, called the trainer early in the second set after cruising through the opener 6-1 when he suddenly appeared in discomfort at the end of the third game.

He was pictured arriving at Roland-Garros on Monday morning with some tape on the side of his right knee, so there may have been an underlying problem, although he was picked up on the broadcast saying: “It’s just happened now".

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The world No. 1 was involved in a marathon encounter in the previous round against Lorenzo Musetti that began on Saturday night and didn’t conclude until 3:07am on Sunday morning, the latest finish in the tournament's history.

The start time had to be pushed back after organisers decided to put Grigor Dimitrov’s clash with Zizou Bergs on Court Philippe-Chatrier in a bid to make up time amid lengthy weather delays.

Djokovic called upon his immense powers of recovery to prevail in five sets, but it sparked fresh questions over whether there should be a cut-off time for players to be on court.

'It's not okay' - Djokovic pleads for court help after injury as McEnroe agrees

'Damn shame' - Djokovic struggles with injury as McEnroe gives reaction

Video credit: TNT Sports

“You’ve got to know that had something to do with it," McEnroe said on commentary for Eurosport.

"If you’re stiff in certain body parts, which I’m sure he was, you start to compensate and that’s when you can get in trouble.

“[It looks like] some kind of hyperextension of the knee. I presume he’s willing to take the strongest legal pain medication he can take.

“Let’s see if they tape it up [but] I’m not sure what that can do.

“Maybe they will think twice about putting Zizou Bergs on with Grigor Dimitrov for a couple of hours which threw off the schedule completely the other night when Djokovic went on at 10:30pm instead of 8:15pm, and you’re like, ‘What?’

“I get that they want to catch up, that makes total sense, but come on, it was absurd.”

Injured Djokovic given further medication to deal with issue at Roland-Garros

Video credit: TNT Sports

Djokovic was able to continue but, sensing his chance to pounce, Cerundolo put pressure on his wounded opponent, opening up break points in each of the Serbian’s next two service games, although he failed to convert any of them.

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