TENNIS
The Djokovic miracle: from the operating room to the Wimbledon final in 37 days
The Serbian tennis player, who underwent knee surgery in Paris a little over a month ago, is one step away from lifting his eighth title at the All England Club.
When Novak Djokovic was injured while playing in the round of 16 at Roland Garros against the Argentine Cerúndolo, and the next day he announced his withdrawal due to a tear in the medial meniscus of his right knee, very few thought that he could play in Wimbledon and his participation in the Olympic Games was even in doubt. On June 7, he was operated in Paris, and 37 days later, today, he will play the final of the British Grand Slam against Alcaraz. Incredible but true.
On Friday, after winning in the semifinals, Djokovic defended his decision, considered, in general terms, as reckless: “I don’t want to prove that people are wrong. I was not reckless in the sense that I was not going against the medical experts who were directing the rehabilitation process. I did not push at any time to play. I did everything I could. “They told me, with a great effort, without guaranteeing my participation in Wimbledon until I arrive in London and test my knee.”
The Balkan player returned to the example of Taylor Fritz, who was also injured in Paris and competed shortly after at the All-England Club with a similar condition. “Let’s not forget Taylor Fritz. He was in the same situation and had even less days than I had. He came back after 21 days exactly after his surgery and played three rounds at Wimbledon, thirteen sets in total. Brilliant. It was really encouraging to know there was someone like him who had been through the same situation, and he was kind enough to share his journey. That gave me even more confidence.”
Before the start of the tournament, Djokovic appeared at the Hurlingham exhibition, beat the Russian Medvedev, and assured him that he had played “without pain.” The doctor who had operated on him was there. “My surgeon is here (pointing to the audience). It’s your fault. Without him, this would have been impossible. I want to go day by day to see how far I can go,” he said then. Now, according to him without having yet played his best tennis, he is one step away from lifting his eighth Wimbledon trophy, which would be his 25th Grand Slam. A miracle? Only Novak knows.