Novak Djokovic Gets Concerning Wimbledon Update After Surgery

By: Gyang Dakwo

Novak Djokovic has been given a bleak injury update by his surgeon ahead of Wimbledon.

The 37-year-old went under the knife last week after sustaining a tear in the medial meniscus in his right knee during a gruelling fourth-round win over Francisco Cerundolo at the French Open.

Djokovic withdrew from the tournament following a scan, handing Jannik Sinner the world number one ranking.

Any slight hopes he had of playing at Wimbledon, which begins on July 1, have been tempered by the surgeon who operated on the joint, Antoana Geromete, who has given a detailed assessment of the injury and recovery process.

He said: “In the 45 minutes that we spent with Novak, his team and Vincent Guiard, the doctor of the French Tennis Federation, I was very open that everything will depend on the reaction of his knee. By gradually increasing the load, we will see if it remains ‘dry’ and without swelling or pain.

“It will be progress from day to day, but it is impossible to predict the state in which it will be in a week, two and so on. But to be at 100% in three weeks, it really seems difficult to achieve.”

While being fit for the Paris Olympics is a more realistic target, Geromete highlighted the seven-time Wimbledon champion’s drive and determination, suggesting nothing can be ruled out.

He added: “He’s a real force of nature because given the nature of the injury, what he’s done is extraordinary.”