Novak Djokovic, the world No. 2 in men’s tennis, recently announced that he will only compete at this year’s Wimbledon if he feels he is in a position to “fight for the title.” This decision comes after Djokovic had to withdraw from Roland-Garros due to a tear in the medial meniscus in his right knee just before his quarter-final match against Casper Ruud. In an interview with BBC Sport, Djokovic emphasized that he is not looking to just play a few rounds at Wimbledon, but rather to make a deep run in the tournament.
The Serbian tennis star expressed that he will only participate in the grass major if he believes he is physically capable of playing at or close to his maximum level. Djokovic shared, “If I know I can play close to my maximum or at maximum, then I’ll play, if not then I’ll give somebody else a chance to play.” He emphasized that his condition and readiness to compete for the title are crucial factors in his decision to participate at Wimbledon this year.
Despite his injury setback, Djokovic has been training diligently at the Wimbledon practice courts. He spent nearly two hours practicing on Monday with a support bandage on his knee, and also had a practice session on Sunday. During his training, Djokovic had a hitting session with Federico Coria from Argentina, where they played two tie-breaks and Djokovic emerged victorious in one. Djokovic expressed satisfaction with his recovery progress and stated that he is gradually improving each day, which gives him hope and motivation to continue pushing forward.
Having recently endured a gruelling match at Roland-Garros that ended in the early hours of the morning, Djokovic is mindful of managing his recovery and not pushing himself too hard too soon. He intends to make a decision about his participation at Wimbledon before the tournament’s draw is finalized on Friday. Djokovic has a strong track record at Wimbledon, having appeared in each of the last five finals and finishing as runner-up in 2023 to Carlos Alcaraz. If he competes this year, it would mark his 19th appearance at the prestigious grass tournament.
In addition to his tennis commitments, Djokovic is also a brand ambassador for various companies and products, including discovery+, a streaming platform that will be the exclusive home for watching every moment of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer. As a global sports icon, Djokovic’s presence and participation in major tournaments like Wimbledon and the Olympics bring added excitement and anticipation for fans around the world.
In conclusion, Novak Djokovic’s decision to compete at Wimbledon is contingent on his physical condition and readiness to contend for the title. His dedication to training and gradual recovery process indicate his commitment to returning to elite competition. With Wimbledon approaching, fans eagerly await Djokovic’s final decision and the potential for another thrilling run at the prestigious grass tournament.
