Novak Djokovic, a 37-year-old Serbian tennis player and former world number one, won an exhibition match against Daniil Medvedev on Friday. This exhibition match took place ahead of Wimbledon, which starts on Monday. Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, underwent surgery earlier this month for a serious knee injury sustained at the French Open.Novak Djokovic, a 37-year-old Serbian tennis player and former world number one, won an exhibition match against Daniil Medvedev on Friday. This exhibition match took place ahead of Wimbledon, which starts on Monday. Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, underwent surgery earlier this month for a serious knee injury sustained at the French Open. Djokovic’s movement was not entirely smooth during the match, and his right knee was strapped up. However, he struck the ball sharply and served well. “I can tell you that I really enjoyed today,” Djokovic said after the match. “I can tell you that painless tennis is the best tennis. I had no pain and I am very happy about that. It was a great test, obviously against one of the best players in the world.” Djokovic has spent the past three weeks in rehabilitation after his surgery. He has been trying to learn from other tennis players and athletes who have suffered similar injuries. “I asked him, I asked a lot of athletes – (Stan) Wawrinka, (skier) Lindsey Vonn, (footballer) Zlatan Ibrahimovic – and they were all very kind to share some of their experiences and give me some contacts of people who could help me out,” Djokovic said. Djokovic is seeded second at Wimbledon. He will play Czech Republic’s Vit Kopriva in the first round.
Published on: June 29, 2024 12:31 (EAT)
Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz attends a warm-up session on the center court of the All England Lawn Tennis Club in west London on June 27, 2024, the week before the Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament starts on July 1. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) /
Novak Djokovic called himself “pain-free” after beating Daniil Medvedev in an exhibition match ahead of Wimbledon on Friday.
Former world number one Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, had to undergo surgery earlier this month after sustaining a serious knee injury at the French Open.
But on Friday the 37-year-old took his place in the draw for Wimbledon, which starts on Monday, with second seed Djokovic and took on 123rd seed Vit Kopriv of the Czech Republic at the grass-court Grand Slam.
Djokovic’s movement wasn’t entirely smooth in a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Medvedev in an exhibition match at London’s Hurlingham Club, with the Serb’s right knee strapped up. But he struck the ball sharply and served well.
“I can tell you that I really enjoyed today,” Djokovic said afterwards. “I can tell you that painless tennis is the best tennis. I had no pain and I am very happy about that. It was a great test, obviously against one of the best players in the world.
“I played a few practice sets, but I really wanted to test myself. The test was very successful, so I am of course very happy with it. It has been an intensive three weeks after the operation, in which I have spent many hours in rehabilitation.”
Djokovic, whose total of 24 singles titles at Grand Slam tournaments is the most ever won by a man in tennis history, added: “I actually always wanted to give myself the opportunity to be in London. I think my surgeon is here. He has definitely been the MVP (most valuable player) for the last three weeks.
“I’m trying to take it day by day and see how far it goes.”
Djokovic had to withdraw from his quarter-final match at Roland Garros against Casper Ruud because he tore the medial meniscus in his right knee.
Since then, he has tried to learn from other tennis players and athletes who have suffered similar injuries, such as American Taylor Fritz, who found himself in a similar situation three years ago and recovered in time for Wimbledon.
“I asked him, I asked a lot of athletes – (Stan) Wawrinka, (skier) Lindsey Vonn, (footballer) Zlatan Ibrahimovic – and they were all very kind to share some of their experiences and give me some contacts of people who could help me out,” Djokovic said.
