Novak Djokovic has hailed ‘superhuman’ American tennis star Taylor Fritz, who inspired his recovery from a meniscus injury ahead of Wimbledon 2024.
There were suggestions seven-time champion Djokovic would miss Wimbledon this year when he was forced into knee surgery following the French Open.
Djokovic picked up a nasty right knee problem against Francisco Cerundolo at Roland-Garros – and despite beating the Argentine over five sets – he was in clear discomfort, requiring medical time outs and painkillers to complete the match.
Prior to his quarter-final clash against Casper Ruud, Djokovic took the difficult decision to withdraw from the major event in Paris in order to have surgery.
Djokovic has now successfully recovered in time for his first-round clash at Wimbledon 2024, which sees him face Czech world No.123 Vit Kopriva.
Speaking ahead of that match, Djokovic said: ‘I made a very quick decision to have surgery [after the French Open, and] I was very much in doubt of making Wimbledon.
‘Then after extensive conversations with certain athletes that have been through very similar situations, for example, Taylor Fritz who has been through something pretty much the same like I have three years ago.
‘I think he injured himself also in Roland-Garros. He said 21 days after he played his first round in Wimbledon. Wawrinka, Lindsey Vonn, they all shared their experiences.
‘Really, that gave me faith and optimism that if rehab is done right and correct, and if of course knee responds well, which is something that is very unpredictable, then there is a pretty good chance that I’ll make Wimbledon.
‘I arrived here on Sunday. It’s been a week of training. Very good week of training. I had, particularly the last three days, very intense tennis sessions. I had points. Practice sets played with Sinner, with Frances Tiafoe, with Medvedev yesterday, and Emil Ruusuvuori, actually double session, and then today with Rune, as well.
‘Really top players that are playing great tennis on grass. High intensity. Lots of I guess situations on the court where the knee is tested to almost the maximum. Change of directions, so forth. The knee has responded very well to all of that so far, which of course then is a great sign for my participation in Wimbledon.
‘That’s why I decided to be in the draw. I still have couple days’ time. I play on Tuesday. I’m confident about the health of my knee and just general physical state is really good.
‘Obviously once the tournament starts, I’ll have more I guess sensations and more feedback from how knee reacts to a best-of-five Grand Slam match. So far everything that was done was very positive.’
Carlos Alcaraz stunned Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last year and the Spaniard – who just clinched the Roland-Garros title and is attempting to land a rare Channel Slam – has claimed that the Serbian is ‘superhuman’ for his recovery.
Quizzed about Alcaraz’s comments, Djokovic responded: ‘Well, not really (smiling). I think Taylor Fritz is a superhuman. He recovered in 21 days. I have a bit more if we talk about that. No, I mean, look, the fact, like Taylor, we mentioned him couple times, but his situation really gave me optimism that I can make it, too.
‘Knowing that there was someone who is a tennis player, plays on such a high level, already succeeded in such a short amount of time to be on the court and compete, it just made me a bit more relaxed, I guess, a bit more confident in my whole process and journey of rehabilitation.
‘Yeah, I mean, three weeks is just making the cut, so to say. It’s not ideal maybe in the eyes of the doctors and specialists that would normally tell you it’s normally between three and six weeks.
‘The closer to six weeks the better probably because you want to not risk too much and give your knee and your body time. But it’s also individual. It’s very subjective. Everyone has a different response to the recovery, to the injury, to rehab, to exercises.’
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