Novak Djokovic wins first match at Wimbledon less than a month after undergoing surgery for torn meniscus
The idea of Novak Djokovic being able to compete at Wimbledon likely felt to many a far-fetched concept a few weeks ago.
Despite undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus less than a month ago, the 37-year-old Djokovic is back at Wimbledon, winning his first-round match against Vit KopĆiva in straight sets â 6-1 6-2 6-2 â on Tuesday.
On June 3, Djokovic battled to a five-set win in the fourth round of the French Open against Francisco Cerundolo, before withdrawing from Roland Garros the following day citing a medial meniscus tear in his right knee.
On June 6, Djokovic posted on social media that âsurgery went wellâ and that heâd work to return to the court âas soon as possible.â
âEverything I could possibly do, Iâve 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,â Djokovic said in his on-court interview.
âI think if it was for any other tournament, I probably wouldnât risk it, wouldnât rush it as much. I just love Wimbledon, love coming back here.â
There was little sign of the injury hampering Djokovic on Tuesday as he dominated KopĆiva from the first point, dropping just five games and wrapping the match up in less than two hours on court.
âI didnât know how everything is going to unfold on the court,â Djokovic added. âYou know, practice sessions are quite different than official match play. Iâm just extremely glad that the way I felt today, the way I played.â
Djokovic is seeking his 25th grand slam singles title â the most across menâs or womenâs tennis. He has seven Wimbledon titles, one behind Roger Federer for the most on the menâs side â Martina Navratilova won the event nine times.
Djokovic lost in the final last year to Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set epic.
Olympic dreams
Following Wimbledon, Djokovic will chase one of the only accolades to elude him: an Olympic gold medal.
The 37-year-old will represent Serbia at the upcoming Paris Olympics, the countryâs Olympic Committee announced June 18. His best Olympic result is the bronze he won in 2008.
âBeing part of the Olympic Games, representing your country, is a huge privilege and honor,â Djokovic, who carried the Serbian flag at the opening ceremony of London 2012, told the ITF in May. â[Itâs so special to be] part of the oldest sports event in the history of sport.
âOf course, winning a gold medal or winning any medal for my country is a great wish and desire. It is one of the greatest priorities and goals for [this] season, there is no secret about that,â added Djokovic.
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