Novak Djokovic made some alarming admissions while being pushed by younger British player Jacob Fearnley on Wimbledon’s Center Court.
Fearnley outplayed Djokovic in a superb second-round match, taking the set, but it was difficult to overlook the seven-time Wimbledon champion’s lack of mobility as he cruised to a 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 victory.
Although Djokovic usually plays it cool regarding injuries, he revealed some interesting things at an incredibly open press conference.
Djokovic expressed his thoughts about his knee injury and said: “I do feel that has an impact on my movement a little bit in terms of the speed. It’s not yet there where I want it to be. Kind of late on the balls that I’m normally not late on. That’s the part which I guess comes with matches. So the longer I stay in the tournament, I think the better the chances that my movement will improve.”
He further said: “The earlier rounds are where I’m still a little bit rusty on the movement, I think. That’s what I felt today, at least. But yeah, I don’t worry about reinjuring my knee. I don’t have time or energy to think about it, nor do I think it’s worth it. I wouldn’t be here unless I think that – not just myself, but the whole team – that I’m ready to compete at this level.”
When asked if there was a remedy to his movement troubles mid-way through a Grand Slam, Djokovic confessed he just had to hope for better as he played more matches.
He concluded: “As the tournament progresses, as I said, the more matches I have, the better the chance I’ll have to feel more comfortable. Moving around and gaining that speed, agility, change of direction, that freedom that I’m looking for. The more matches, the more of those types of situations I have, the better I will play and move.”
Djokovic in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2024
Currently ranked no.2, the Serbian has managed to achieve an overall 20-6 record in 2024. Djokovic is competing in Wimbledon where he conquered the world no.123 Vit Kopriva 6-1 6-2 6-2 and the world no.277 Jacob Fearnley 6-3 6-4 5-7 7-5.
Novak Djokovic will compete against the world no.47 Alexei Popyrin in the 3rd round. Their current head to head is 2-0 for Djokovic.
Novak won 98 titles in his career: 52 on hard courts, 19 on clay courts, 19 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Djokovic has scheduled to compete next in Montreal (National Bank Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 5th of August.
Novak Djokovic |
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