Wimbledon 2024: Novak Djokovic will only play if he can 'fight for the title' following knee injury
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Published 24/06/2024 at 20:28 GMT
Novak Djokovic has said he will only compete at Wimbledon this year if he is in a position to "fight for the title". The world No. 2 withdrew from Roland-Garros ahead of his quarter-final clash due to a tear in the medial meniscus in his right knee; Djokovic has since had surgery and returned to training ahead of the grass major.
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Novak Djokovic has said he will only compete at this year's Wimbledon if he is in a position to "fight for the title".
Djokovic is on the road to recovery after a tear in the medial meniscus in his right knee forced him to withdraw from Roland-Garros ahead of his quarter-final clash against Casper Ruud.
The world No. 2 said he will only take part in the grass major if he is in a fit enough state to "go far in the tournament".
"I didn’t come here to play a few rounds," he told BBC Sport.
Djokovic added: "If I know I can play close to my maximum or at maximum, then I’ll play, if not then I’ll give somebody else a chance to play.
"I really will only play if I know I am in a state which is good enough to go far in the tournament and fight for the title, so that’s the condition."
Djokovic trained for nearly two hours at the Wimbledon practice courts on Monday, sporting a support bandage on his knee. He also practiced on Sunday.
The former world No. 1 hit with Argentina's Federico Coria. The pair played two tie-breaks, with Djokovic winning one.
Concerning his recovery, Djokovic said he "liked his trajectory so far", adding that it was "great" to be back at the All-England Club.
"Rehab is going in the right direction every single day," he said. "A few percent better and better. That’s what’s giving me hope and encouragement to keep going.
"I’m taking things gradually. I’m not pushing myself yet 100% but I’m hoping that’s going to come in the next few days."
The injury became apparent during Djokovic's five-set thriller against Francisco Cerundolo in the last 16 of the Roland-Garros earlier in June.
It was the second of two gruelling matches in the clay major, with another five-set epic against Lorenzo Musetti in the previous round ending after 3am local time.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner intends to decide on his participation at Wimbledon before the draw is made on Friday.
Djokovic has appeared in each of the last five Wimbledon finals, finishing runner-up in 2023 to Carlos Alcaraz. An appearance this year would be the Serbian's 19th outing at the grass tournament.
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