- Novak Djokovic withdrew from the French Open last week with a knee injury
- The world No 1 was also embroiled in a tense altercation with his wife, Jelena
- The pair were seen shouting at each other during his fourth round match
Novak Djokovic has spoken for the first time since having the meniscus surgery that is set to rule him out of Wimbledon.
The 37-year-old withdrew from Roland Garros on Tuesday with a knee injury and made the quick decision to have an operation. It also came after he had appeared to feud with his wife, Jelena, while on court during his match against Francisco Cerundolo.
‘In the past day, I had to make some tough decisions after sustaining a meniscus tear during my last match,’ he posted on X.
‘I’m still processing it all but I am happy to update you that the surgery went well. I am so appreciative of the team of doctors who have been by my side as well as the overwhelming support I have received from my fans.
‘I’m going to do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible. My love for this sport is strong and the desire to compete at the highest level is what keeps me going. Idemooo (keep going).’
Wimbledon begins on July 1 and the best-case scenario for Djokovic’s recovery time is thought to be three weeks….article continues
‘In the past day, I had to make some tough decisions after sustaining a meniscus tear during my last match,’ he posted on X.
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‘I’m still processing it all but I am happy to update you that the surgery went well. I am so appreciative of the team of doctors who have been by my side as well as the overwhelming support I have received from my fans.
‘I’m going to do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible. My love for this sport is strong and the desire to compete at the highest level is what keeps me going. Idemooo (keep going).’
DJokovic also posted a picture with the statement on his Instagram and Twitter feeds, showing him stood in crutches, posing alongside several members of his team.
His wife, Jelena, is seen standing on the right of the group while smiling. The last time the pair were seen together, the pair had appeared to be embroiled in a tense conversation on the court.
Djokovic bested Cerundolo over five sets, to book his place in the quarter-final, but after going 2-0 up in that match, he appeared to fume at his family and coaching team who were sat higher up at Court Philippe-Chatrier. Jelena, stood up, responding in kind to her husband as the pair exchanged a few words and gestures.
Wimbledon begins on July 1 and the best-case scenario for Djokovic’s recovery time is thought to be three weeks.
That would theoretically give him a chance of playing the Championships, but once you factor in additional time for recovering his match-fitness and adjusting to the grass – a surface that puts a high degree of strain on the knees – it looks impossible, even for a man with his extraordinary powers of physical recovery.
Djokovic will instead target the Olympics, which begin on July 27 back here at Roland Garros. A gold medal is the only thing missing from his collection and the Paris Games have always been Djokovic’s biggest goal this year.
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This is the only the second surgery of Djokovic’s career. A devout believer in natural healing, he claimed to have cried with guilt for days after having an elbow operation in 2018.
It took Djokovic two years of pain and indecision to bring himself to fix that elbow – the fact he went under the knife less than 48 hours after this knee injury indicates how eager he is to be fit for the Olympics.
With Roger Federer retired and Rafael Nadal almost certain to skip Wimbledon – again, with a view to the Olympics – this will be the first Championships since 1998 to take place with none of the Big Three in the draw.
It was knee damage that did for Federer, as he retired having had four bouts of surgery. Djokovic will pray his issues are nowhere near so chronic.
If he can make a full recovery, there is no reason why he cannot play on for several years. But there is recent evidence that Carlos Alcaraz and, particularly, new world No1 Jannik Sinner have the beating of the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Those two, who meet in a much-anticipated semi-final here in Paris tomorrow, are only going to get better. It feels as though the game is finally leaving the greatest generation in history behind.