Watch: Novak Djokovic does not give up! He is ready for a comeback

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Novak Djokovic hit the gym nine days after a knee procedure

Having accomplished nearly everything in the sport, Novak Djokovic is ready to overcome his recent setback and make a fresh start at 37! Just nine days after undergoing a meniscus procedure on his right knee in Paris, Novak is already back to training in the gym. The 24-time Major winner shared a video with his fans, much to their excitement! While Djokovic may have to skip the upcoming Wimbledon due to insufficient recovery time, his participation in the Olympic Games in Paris at the end of July seems likely. Novak can walk without crutches and has embraced rigorous gym sessions, putting stress on his knee without any issues. The veteran appears eager to return to the court as soon as possible. If his recovery continues to progress well in the upcoming weeks, we might see him compete in a lower-tier clay-court event ahead of the Olympics. Novak has yet to reach his A-game in 2024 following a stellar 2023 season, and he is still waiting for his first ATP final.

The Serb would love to change that at the Olympic Games and chase the only notable achievement missing in his rich collection. Djokovic could not defend last year’s Roland Garros title, heading to Paris without proper form and with pain in his right knee (medial meniscus). Novak’s right knee got even worse following two five-setters. Those marathons forced him to withdraw from Roland Garros and undergo a procedure the following morning, thinking about a quick recovery and injury-free tennis in Paris! Djokovic disliked the conditions on Court Philippe-Chatrier against Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo, struggling but overcoming both rivals to book a place in his 59th Major quarter-final. Novak persevered through those difficulties but paid a high price, withdrawing from an ongoing Major for the first time in a career! Djokovic played well in the opening two rounds, arranging the third-round duel with Lorenzo Musetti.

Novak Djokovic is back in the gym following knee procedure.

Two rivals embraced a thrilling battle that started late and finished at 3:06 a.m., making it the latest finished match in Roland Garros history! Novak did not play at his best, dropping the third set 6-2 before shifting into a higher gear and leaving the Italian behind in the fourth and fifth. The veteran faced Francisco Cerundolo two days later and struggled with the court even more, falling to the ground a couple of times and increasing the pain in his knee. Djokovic blasted the organizers for the condition of the court, urging them to put more clay in the troubled spots more frequently, which they refused. Novak required a medical timeout and a couple of massages, standing on the verge of defeat before the painkillers started to work and allowed them to move more freely. The Serb outplayed the Argentine in the opening set before falling in the second and losing ground.

Cerundolo stole it with a break in the late stages, leveling the overall score at 1-1 after an hour and 56 minutes. The lower-ranked player took charge in set number three, outplaying world no. 1 and moving closer to a career-best win with a couple of service winners in game nine. Francisco delivered his 13th consecutive hold in the fourth game of the fourth set, keeping the pressure on the other side. Struggling with his movement, Novak got broken in the fifth game after a backhand mistake and found himself 4-2 behind after Francisco’s service winner in the next one. With no room for errors, Djokovic clinched the seventh game with good serves and made a push on the return in the next one, landing a backhand winner for his first break chance since the closing stages of the first set! The Argentine netted a backhand, losing serve and bringing the Serb back to 4-4. Cerundolo earned a break point in the 11th game but failed to convert it, allowing Djokovic to close the game with a drop shot winner. Novak played well on the return at 6-5, converting the fourth set point and forcing a decider after three hours and 47 minutes.

The Serb earned three break points in the second game and seized the second, moving 2-0 in front and closer to the finish line. Cerundolo stayed competitive and landed a forehand winner in game three for a break point. He missed it but grabbed the second after a backhand winner following a lucky net cord, extending the drama. Djokovic fell again in the fourth game, keeping his composure and staying on the positive side. The defending champion presented another fine hold in game seven, holding at love and moving 4-3 in front. Novak made the final push on the return in game eight. He generated a break point and fired a forehand winner for a break and a 5-3 advantage. Djokovic held in game nine, bringing another entertaining victory home before withdrawing from the event a day later.

 

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