Djokovic: “The knee has responded very well” | ATP Tour

Wimbledon

Djokovic: “The knee has responded very well”

The Serbian explains how he is recovering from his knee operation

June 29, 2024

Novak Djokovic is recovering well from knee surgery he underwent on Saturday ahead of Wimbledon. The 24-time major champion underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus after withdrawing before his Roland Garros quarter-final match.

“I arrived here on Sunday. It has been a week of training. Very good week of training. I have had, especially the last three days, very intense tennis sessions. I had points. Practice sets played with Sinner, with Frances Tiafoe, with “Medvedev yesterday, and Emil Ruusuvuori, actually double session, and then today with Rune, too,” said Djokovic, who will face Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in the first round. “High intensity. Many situations on the court where the knee is tested almost to the maximum. Changes of direction, etc.”

“The knee has responded very well to all that so far, which of course is a great sign for my participation in Wimbledon. That’s why I decided to be in the draw.”

Djokovic noted that he still has time before his tournament begins on Tuesday, but explained that he is “confident” about the health of his knee and his overall fitness. “Obviously, once the tournament starts, I’ll have more feeling, I guess, and more information on how the knee reacts to a best-of-five Grand Slam match,” Djokovic said. “So far everything that has been done has been very positive.”

The Serbian revealed that he “made a very quick decision” to undergo surgery and that “I had a lot of doubts about making it to Wimbledon.” But he spoke to Taylor Fritz, who went through a very similar situation three years ago.

“He said that 21 days later [de la lesión] played his first round at Wimbledon. Wawrinka, Lindsey Vonn, they all shared their experiences,” Djokovic said. “Really, that gave me faith and optimism that if the rehab is done well and correctly, and if of course the knee responds well, which is something very unpredictable, then “There’s a pretty good chance I’ll make it to Wimbledon.”

A journalist asked Djokovic why it was so important for him to return to action so soon, given the wealth of experience and success he has already achieved at this level.

In part, Djokovic explained that “it’s this incredible desire to play, just to compete. Especially because it’s Wimbledon, the tournament that has always been a dream of mine as a kid. “I always dreamed of playing Wimbledon. The very idea of ​​missing Wimbledon was not right. “I didn’t want to deal with that.”

The 37-year-old tennis player also made it clear that he was not coming to Wimbledon just to show that he can compete in “one or two matches.” “I really want to go for the title,” Djokovic said. “So the last three days have given me enough optimism and good signs that I can really be in a position to compete at the highest level over the next few weeks, I hope.”

The best news for Djokovic is that he hasn’t had any setbacks during his recovery. “If I had a setback, I would be questioning whether I should be here or not,” Djokovic said. “But I haven’t had a single one. Why not try?”