Novak Djokovic looks with a mischievous smile at the moderator, on whom, this time, additional responsibility falls. She has the million-dollar question on her lips: How is Novak Djokovic really doing, that “superhuman” (as Carlos Alcaraz describes him) who only 25 days ago was undergoing surgery for meniscus surgery in Paris and who now, as if nothing would have happened, miraculous, extremely complicated from a medical perspective, are you about to jump onto the green to compete in this Wimbledon that is about to take off?
– I’m fine and you? (laughs).
— Good (more laughter).
— So let’s get straight to my knee. Let’s save everyone the time for the question…
The Serbian, the all-time record holder, is in good spirits after an extraordinary race against time in which, until now, he has prevailed over all logic. There is the reference to Taylor Fritz, who was able to make a comeback three years ago just three weeks after undergoing surgery to repair the same injury; however, the American was 23 years younger then, 14 years younger than the Balkan athlete is today. A physical super-gift.
“The truth is that the recovery time he has had is amazing,” Alcaraz points out to journalists. “In just three and a half weeks, he is already playing sets and points at a very, very high level, but he usually recovers quickly in general. We all know what he does off the court to be one hundred percent: nutrition, rest and everything he does perfect so he can be there and perform at his best. So in a way it surprises me, but on the other hand, not so much,” explains the Murcian, who mentions number one, Jannik Sinner, and Nole himself as the main candidates for the title. Nobody knows where the one from Belgrade, capable of anything, can come out. Also the most unlikely.
With the exception of Alcaraz, no rival was able to stop him from 2017 onwards. So as soon as he had his operation, Djokovic picked up the phone and gathered information. He consulted athletes such as Stan Wawrinka, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lindsay Vonn and got down to business. “I had a lot of doubts about whether I could get here or not, but I gained a lot of faith and a lot of optimism because if you do the rehabilitation correctly, and as long as the knee responds, there was a chance,” he says. So over the last week he raised his level and gained consistency in training.
Without holding back
“I tested my knee almost to the maximum, changing directions,” said the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “And so far it has responded very well. That is why I decided to be here. I still have a couple more days (he will debut on Tuesday, against the 123rd in the world, Vit Kopriva) and I hope everything goes well. Then, once the tournament has started, I will have more sensations about how it reacts, but so far everything has been very positive and my physical condition, in general, is really good,” said the Serb, unable to resist a double temptation, the formula too irresistible: the eternal dream of Wimbledon and the libido of the competition, the driving force of the majestic work.
“My wife also brought it up with me, and it’s normal; you’re 37 years old and maybe you want to take fewer risks to get to the Olympics (starting on July 26)… But I have the feeling that I won’t miss any Grand Slams as long as I can play, as long as I continue to play and am at this level,” he says. “I wouldn’t say it’s a fear of missing out, but an incredible desire to play and compete. Especially here. I’ve always dreamed of playing the big tournaments, but particularly Wimbledon; maybe there’s no rational or logical explanation, but it’s like that. The mere thought of missing out was no longer right.”
Dates fly and the flight of young people increases. He has not added any trophy to his cabinet this season. The physique suffers. And yet, Djokovic believes. “It is the first time in my life that I have suffered a knee injury like this, but I believe that I am truly capable of competing in the best of five sets and against the best in the world on grass. I didn’t come here to get through a few rounds and prove to myself that I can play, but I really want the title. “I’ve put a lot of hours into recovery and haven’t had any setbacks, so why not give it a try?”
The surgeon who operated on him in Paris, Antoine Gerometta, warned in an interview with L’Equipe in the middle of the month that Djokovic would not reach one hundred percent. Likewise, he praised the exceptionality of an athlete who has resisted the erosion of injuries like few others after almost two decades in the elite. “Superhuman? Not really. It is Taylor Fritz, who recovered in 21 days,” he jokes. “Maybe it is not ideal (to return now) in the eyes of the doctors, because they say that normally it should be three to six weeks; six if you don’t want to risk too much and give your knee time. But it is something subjective, an individual matter. “Everyone has a different response to recovery,” he emphasizes before concluding: “I don’t see myself holding back when it comes to moving. I don’t see myself calculating or being more cautious. Really, I’m going for it.”
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