A surgical procedure to the meniscus three weeks in the past: but the efficiency supplied by Novak Djokovic within the first spherical of Wimbledon didn’t present any bodily drawback for the Serbian champion. Nole needed to offer himself the possibility to play the Championships after present process an operation on his proper knee final June fifth. The exhausting work completed throughout the rehabilitation and the progress made as the times glided by gave him the hope of with the ability to compete on the lawns of the All England Membership regardless of the little time out there.
The Serbian champion arrived in London early to check his circumstances and practice with the perfect tennis gamers. Djokovic paid shut consideration to his actions on the court docket, particularly in the beginning of the match, however nonetheless dominated the qualifier Vit Kopriva ,incomes the entry to the second spherical, successful clearly 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Djokovic needed to take care of many doubts in current weeks: the primary was instantly linked to his presence on the Championships. After the surgical procedure on his proper knee, the Serbian champion started a race in opposition to time to attempt to play Wimbledon, the event he has at all times liked and that allowed him to comprehend one in every of his best desires.
On the press convention after the victorious first spherical, Nole analyzed the progress of the match and targeted each on the doubts he had on the eve of the event on the All England Membership, and on the opponent he’ll face within the 2nd spherical.
“The week of coaching, as I mentioned, was improbable. It is clear that the competitors could be very completely different, particularly when it is your first official match on Centre Court docket at Wimbledon. I did not understand how I’d really feel on the court docket and the way my knee would reply, however I could not have requested for a greater begin to the event. Right this moment I did not really feel any ache similar to the one I felt throughout the match I performed in opposition to Francisco Cerundolo at Roland Garros. I began just a little cautiously, possibly not pushing 100%. I performed effectively sufficient to win confidently in three units. I felt that because the minutes glided by I used to be beginning to transfer higher and higher.
There have been factors – one allowed me to interrupt my opponent – the place I attempted to slip on the grass and that was one thing I hadn’t completed even in coaching. I am very pleased to have the ability to do it, as a result of typically you’ll be able to hesitate mentally. Understanding that you would be able to make sure performs is reassuring. Jacob Fearnley within the 2nd spherical? I’ve by no means seen him play, so I will have to review. I do know he received a wild card and I’ll analyze his match right now. The followers can be on his facet and nobody likes to play a British participant at Wimbledon. I can not anticipate the second spherical to take care of that type that permits me to compete on the highest degree in best-of-five set matches,” he mentioned.
However what are the Serbian’s possibilities for the remainder of the event?
Djokovic d. Kopriva 6-1 6-2 6-2
In his final 5 Wimbledon appearances, Novak has misplaced a complete of 1 match right here
Stepping on court docket right now after having knee surgical procedure lower than a month in the past is sort of superhuman.
However to look pretty much as good as he did right now is one thing else.
Legend strikes.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 2, 2024
Grateful. Let’s do that, #nolefam. 1 down, 6 extra to go. Idemooo pic.twitter.com/M6npbP5tU8
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) July 2, 2024
Who else liked this passing shot from Novak Djokovic? 🤩pic.twitter.com/XL11Akp6yD
— Danny 🐊 (@DjokovicFan_) July 2, 2024
Attract hand, his path, at the very least till the 4th spherical and the quarterfinals is general straightforward. It helps that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are within the top-half. His bodily situation should be monitored match by match however, the primary impression, after the primary spherical, is that of a participant who appears to have left the meniscus surgical procedure at residence. Regardless of the seen bandage, Djokovic moved effectively and his knee didn’t undergo. On a floor just like the grass of the primary rounds of the event – nonetheless intact – Nole might have had some issue, however fortuitously his knee gave greater than optimistic responses. An injection of confidence for the remainder of the event. Can Nolo actually win Wimbledon? Sure, I feel so, supplied that he has actually overcome the knee drawback and that, within the meantime, he has recovered the bodily situation essential to face high-level opponents in the perfect of 5 units. Expertise is on his facet; if Djokovic does Djokovic, he’s the person to beat.
