Novak Djokovic has decided to travel to London to play at Wimbledon Championships scheduled next week and former British #1 Laura Robson admitted that she was stunned by the speedy recovery of Djokovic’s right knee surgery.
The legendary Serbian underwent surgery on his knee on June 5 after pulling out of his Roland Garros quarterfinal clash against Casper Ruud. Djokovic’s Wimbledon participation was apparently in shambles but he had made a remarkably swift recovery from the knee procedure and has now had two practice sessions at the All England Club. Djokovic has yet to confirm his availability for the Wimbledon draw.
“I’m going to take it day by day and then make a decision based over the next four or five, six days and if I know that I can play close to my maximum or at maximum, then I’ll play if not, then give somebody else a chance to play,” said World No. 2 on Monday.
The former WTA star Laura Robson is in awe of Djokovic’s incredible recovery and has given her verdict on the 24-time Slam champion’s participation in Wimbledon.
“Honestly, it would be a miracle if he plays,” Robson told Tennis365 in an exclusive interview at Play Your Way to Wimbledon event.
“I remember Taylor Fritz had a similar situation where he had surgery on his knee and played Wimbledon three weeks later and ended up doing pretty well, all things considered, but he is ten years younger and I’m sure things get harder at the age of 37.
“I would be shocked if he plays a best-of-five match, but this is Novak. If he is in the draw and he feels like he can have a good run at it, then you can’t rule him out.
“He had not had his best season, but we have seen him have periods where his form dips and then he comes back and wins again. That is what Djokovic has done throughout his career.
“Novak will only play at Wimbledon if he believes he can win and he is always going to be a threat whenever he is in the draw. He is Djokovic for a reason.
“At this stage of his career and when he has won everything there is to win, there would be zero point in going through the motions.
“He could be at home and literally doing anything else in his life, but he is at Wimbledon this week and he is seeing what he can do. He would not be here unless he believed he could have a big chance of winning.”
The 37-year-old’s recovery is nothing short of remarkable, but playing best-of-five-set in a Grand Slam is a whole different level as compared to playing a couple of practice sets in second gear without pressure.
“I’m not pushing myself yet 100% but I’m hoping that’s going to come within the next few days,” revealed Djokovic.
“The rehab has been going in the right direction every single day.
“I’m going to take it day by day and then make a decision based over the next four or five, six days and if I know that I can play close to my maximum or at maximum, then I’ll play if not, then give somebody else a chance to play.”
The 7-time Wimbledon champion has the deadline of until Friday morning to make a final decision on his presence at Wimbledon where he has been seeded #2.