How is Novak Djokovic’s health? Can the Serb compete in the Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon or not? His operation also raises questions.
How fit is Novak Djokovic really? Can the Serb take part in the third Grand Slam tournament of the year in Wimbledon or not? On Monday, Djokovic appeared completely unexpectedly at the All England Club and completed a relaxed training session – just a few weeks after knee surgery. Now new details have emerged about the health of the current number two in the world rankings, and some experts are skeptical.
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Because: At the French Open, Djokovic had seriously injured his meniscus, somehow managed to get through the round of 16 against the Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo, but was unable to compete in the quarter-finals against Casper Ruud. According to his own statements, the superstar had an operation on his right knee in Paris a day later. I had to make a few “tough decisions. I’m still processing everything, but I’m happy to tell you that the operation went well,” he announced in a post on Instagram – along with a photo with his coaching team and his wife, Djokovic was on crutches.
The result was a lot of guesswork and speculation. Initially it was reported that Djokovic would miss Wimbledon and that even the Olympic Games were in danger.
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Then last Monday, the bombshell: Djokovic, in great spirits, turned up at Wimbledon, completed a training session and was likely to be able to take part in the most prestigious Grand Slam tournament of the year. According to specialists, it takes three to six months to heal from a torn meniscus. And for Djokovic, it took less than a month? Did he make the injury worse than it actually was?
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Did Djokovic not have any surgery at all?
The skepticism of the tennis world led, among other things, to Bozidar Maljkovic – President of the Serbian Olympic Committee – asking Djokovic’s uncle Goran.
Did Novak really have an operation? “We called his uncle and received the information that Novak did not have an operation. I do not want to speculate any further,” it said in a statement.
“In any case, a big compliment to Novak. We all want him to be with us and lead the Olympic team. He is a wonderful person who makes other athletes better,” he said. Djokovic had already shown this at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. There he lost in the semifinals in three hard-fought sets to Alexander Zverev. The German number one later won the gold medal, the first in singles since Steffi Graf in 1988.
Participation in Wimbledon now seems almost certain, and an Olympic start in Paris would also be realistic. There, Djokovic is expected to finally win his long-awaited Olympic gold and crown his glorious career. It is the only prominent trophy still missing from the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s collection.
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Hope for Djokovic
Before heading to Paris, however, Wimbledon is just around the corner. Djokovic still has a score to settle with Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz; the Serb lost the final of last year’s event in five sets. As far as taking part is concerned, the 37-year-old was hopeful. “The rehab is going in the right direction every day, a few percent better and better. That’s what gives me hope and encourages me to keep going. I’m taking things slowly. I’m not putting 100 percent pressure on myself yet,” he told the BBC.
But there are also skeptics. Former British number one Greg Rusedski would be “very surprised if Novak played at Wimbledon. It’s great to see him on the court training, but the main thing is “where he is and getting good preparation until he’s at 100 percent.”
British TV expert Laura Robson, who was number 27 in the world rankings in 2013, also expressed disbelief and spoke of a “miracle” if Djokovic actually played. “I would be shocked if he played a best-of-five match,” she admitted. But that’s Novak, too, and exactly when you least expect it, he comes back and triumphs again.
Djokovic himself made a clear statement and made no secret of his ambitions. “I didn’t come here to play a few rounds. If I know I can play close to my maximum or at the maximum, then I will play. If not, then I will give someone else a chance to play,” he continued.
It is not known whether his injury was less serious than expected or whether we are dealing with a miracle cure. But one thing is certain: Djokovic will do everything he can to not only compete in Wimbledon and the Olympics, but also to be successful.
2024-06-27 20:36:24
#Speculation #Novak #Djokovics #injury
