Last year, Carlos Alcaraz became the first man other than Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray to win the Wimbledon title since 2002, a victory that signalled the start of a new era. But Djokovic, the man Alcaraz described as “superhuman” after returning from knee surgery in just three weeks, is still here. From looking out of Wimbledon, his recovery from a torn meniscus defies belief.
A shot at a record eighth title remains alive thanks to a surgeon hailed by Djokovic as his “MVP”. When the 37-year-old withdrew from his French Open quarter-final after slipping on the Paris clay, his chances of being fit for Wimbledon appeared slim. He was given a timescale of three to six weeks after undergoing surgery. Wimbledon just made the cut.
But Djokovic needed to come back sooner than that. Nothing was left to chance as he consulted a range of voices who had recovered from similar procedures. As he looked for reassurance, Djokovic spoke to fellow players Taylor Fritz and Stan Wawrinka, as well as others outside tennis, such as the former Milan and PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and downhill skiing champion Lindsey Vonn.
Encouraged by what he heard, Djokovic got to work. The Serbian now appears to have won his race with time to spare. He arrived at Wimbledon last Sunday and was so confident about his condition after hitting on the grass that he flew to Munich on Tuesday for Serbia’s final group game against Denmark at Euro 2024. A day later, Djokovic was back in Wimbledon for more practice. He has played “intense” sets with Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Emil Ruusuvuori. There has been no pain, swelling, or inflammation. Djokovic’s knee, in other words, feels good to go, his body ready for the start of another gruelling two weeks.
Esta historia es de la edición July 01, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 01, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Carse justifies England faith as the archetypal bold pick
If you won a boxing match after your opponent continually punched themselves in the face, how much credit can you take?
Tenacious Diallo the key to Amorim pressing machine
Old Trafford has not seen anything like this before.
Gold King Cole packs the Bridge with merry old souls
In the 83rd minute, the ball rolled to the feet of Cole Palmer in a bubble of space outside Aston Villa's box, and the crowd snapped to attention.
Vibrant Anfield marks the changing of the Guardiola
There was a lull in the noise, a break in the Anfield atmosphere, when a defiant chant emerged from a corner near Stefan Ortega’s goal.
What is so daunting about Spain's new data checks?
Q You have written about the new “red tape” for visitors to Spain. So, as well as your usual passport details you will give a contact number, address and email. Not exactly the Spanish Inquisition, is it?
Sectarian clashes claim at least 130 lives in Pakistan
At least 130 people were killed in deadly sectarian clashes in Pakistan's northwestern Kurram district in spite of a tentative ceasefire, days after gunmen opened fire on a convoy of vehicles carrying Shia Muslims, local officials said.
Coalition government likely in Ireland as count proceeds
Fianna Fail say decisions on power-sharing for another day’
How Syria's forgotten war is back on the world's agenda
Many believed the country was lost in an unsolvable conflict, until everything changed in a matter of days, writes Bel Trew
Assad regime scrambles to halt Syrian rebels’ advance
Civilians reportedly killed by Russian and Syrian airstrikes
Mother of poisoning victim says she knew she would die
Lawyer Simone White succumbed to the effects of methanol while backpacking in Laos with two of her childhood friends
