Roger Federer has hailed Novak Djokovic’s swift recovery and quick comeback to play Wimbledon.
The 20-time Grand Slam Champion feels it has been an incredible effort from his arch former nemesis to get ready in time and be back at the Championships after the injury setback. Djokovic endured a tear in the medial meniscus in the right knee during his 5-set win against Francisco Cerundolo in the R4 at French Open last month.
The World #2 underwent a surgery just three weeks before entering the All England Club but did a great job to ensure his presence at SW19. Djokovic is one short of equaling the Federer’s 8 Wimbledon titles and looks motivated to notch another victory at this year’s event.
The 37-year-old will face the #15 seed Holger Rune in the R4 on Center Court today and would then take the challenge of Aussie Alex de Minaur if he reaches the last 8.
Talking to ESPN during Wimbledon, Federer lauded Djokovic’s timely return to the Championships.
“Novak’s amazing, how he’s bounced back,” said the legendary Swiss.
“I haven’t talked about it before, but incredible effort for him after the surgery, after Paris, to come back and already be playing. I don’t know he’s feeling, but it will be very interesting how he bounces back.”
Last month, former world No 9 Nicolas Almagro advised Djokovic to be careful as he explained that a meniscus injury resulted in his retirement and also highlighted the fact a similar injury hurt Federer’s longevity.
“I think the difference is that I broke it and that he has a tear, but even so he has to be very careful because it seems like a simple injury but it is not,” said Spaniard.
“I wouldn’t say I retired because of the injury, but after the injury. That helped, of course, but it’s true that I gained more weight, my knee began to suffer and priorities changed.”
The 13-time ATP titlist added: “Look, Roger, he had a similar injury and he had knee surgery, it was going to last a month and in the end he retired. It’s apparently simple, but you have to be careful so that things don’t get complicated.”