Wimbledon 2024: What to expect from Novak Djokovic in his first-round match
By Lee Vowell
About three weeks after seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic had surgery for a torn meniscus, he appears ready to play his first-round match at the tournament. He seemingly was not quite sure if he would play even after showing up in London, but after working the knee out, he felt good enough to give the grass-court major a go. The question now is how fit he is.
Taking any bit of time off from playing professional tennis can be difficult. The best way to stay in shape is to keep participating in tournaments. Of course, one cannot do that if they are hurt. Plus, having surgery on one's knee to play a sport that is already hard on the joints might mean the player is only a shell of their peak form.
Djokovic seems different, however. Most players - heck, most people - would likely not try to come back from knee surgery in only a matter of weeks. Most might rest for a month or so, let alone get on a court to practice to see if they can play real matches. In warm-up rounds at Wimbledon, the Serb not only showed he can physically play, but he should be a dangerous opponent for whoever he plays.
Novak Djokovic seemingly prepared for greatness at Wimbledon 2024
The normal recovery time from surgery to a torn meniscus is three to eight weeks. Technically, Djokovic made it back quicker than that. He was practicing two weeks after going under the knife. Is he rushing his comeback? Tennis fans cannot be completely sure.
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The hope is that his first-round match is relatively easy for him. This would allow him to get a bit more work in while not being physically taxed. He certainly, on paper, has a more favorable matchup at Wimbledon than Rafael Nadal did in the first round of the French Open when the Spaniard had to play - and lose to - Alexander Zverev. The Serb will play Vit Kopriva who is ranked 123 on the ATP tour and has a career record of 6-9.
The two players have never faced each other. The Czech does not have an overpowering serve that would give Novak Djokovic issues. This should be a quick match for the Serb as long as his knee has no issues.
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