After weeks of recovery following his surgery, Novak Djokovic made a competitive return to the tennis court in the first round of Wimbledon. The former world No. 1 had succumbed to a torn medial meniscus injury in his knee in his fourth-round clash of the French Open with Francisco Cerundolo. Novak-Djokovic-makes-winning-return-from-injury-after-Wimbledon-victory
Following the surgery, the seven-time Wimbledon champion began recovery on the knee quickly to get back to fitness as soon as possible. Djokovic has been in London for over a week, engaging in tedious training exercises with some of the most competitive players on tour, to push the knee to the limit.
Novak Djokovic’s Imperial Performance
Novak Djokovic began his campaign for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title against Vit Kopriva in the first round today. Wearing a knee brace, it was obvious in the early stages of the first set that the 37-year-old was doing everything in his power to limit his need to run around the court. It was obvious he wanted to finish off the points early.
Novak Djokovic was imperial on his serve in the first set, hitting four aces, 92% of his first serve points, all of his second serve points, and 12 winners. The Serbian broke his Czech opponent’s serve twice while he didn’t even face a single breakpoint all through the set to win 6-1.
A roar of emotion from Djokovic could be heard all around Center Court at the end of the second game of the second set after the Serbian broke Kopriva’s serve. Novak Djokovic was still nearly perfect on serve in the second set, not having to face a single breakpoint all set en route to a 6-2 win.
In the third set, Kopriva started with a solid game of serve, winning the first game of the set with a wide serve and drop shot volley combo that was too short for Novak Djokovic to reach.
That wasn’t enough to keep the big Serbian at bay as Novak Djokovic quickly took a 4-2 lead, and even sealed a second break of Kopriva’s serve in the seventh game. Djokovic then served out the match, winning on match point with an ace to win the match 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Novak Djokovic didn’t face a single breakpoint all through the entire match.
Novak Djokovic scored seven points more than Kopriva from winners and six more than the Czech from aces. He had a 90% accuracy in first-serve points won and a 68% accuracy in second-serve points won. Djokovic will face Jacob Fearnley in the second round on Thursday.
Djokovic And His Love Affair With Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic confessed he had a little bit of uncertainty coming into the Wimbledon tournament due to the special circumstances he was facing. The 24-time Grand Slam champion knew his knee would be a form of kryptonite for him in Wimbledon.
I’m very pleased with the way I felt on the court. Obviously, coming into Wimbledon this year was a little bit of a different circumstance for me because of the knee. I didn’t know how everything was going to unfold on the court, really. Practice sessions are quite different from official match plays.
With Novak Djokovic one of a very short list of players who have won everything, the question on everyone’s minds has remained, “Why rush back?” This question is even more amplified after considering the Olympics comes after Wimbledon on the same surface and the same theater where the Serbian got injured.
The Olympics is the one major tournament he hasn’t won in his career. However, Novak Djokovic has so much love for Wimbledon and couldn’t imagine missing out on playing in the All-England Club if he could manage it.
I tried to really focus on the game and not think too much on the knee. Everything I could possibly do, I’ve done along with my team in the last three and a half weeks in order to give myself a chance to be able to play in front of you here today. I think if it was for any other tournament, I probably wouldn’t risk it, wouldn’t rush it as much. I just love Wimbledon.
If Novak Djokovic wins Wimbledon ahead of other contenders like Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner, he’d further extend his record for the most decorated Grand Slam champion with 25 titles, three more than the player with the second most wins, Rafael Nadal.
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