Novak Djokovic sends message to Wimbledon rivals by revealing his mentality after injury

Novak Djokovic has sent a warning to his rivals ahead of his return from injury at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships by affirming his intention to “give everything”.

The tennis icon insisted he has no plans to hold back or be “a little more careful with his movements” in what will be his first tournament since tearing his meniscus.

Djokovic will face world number 123 Vit Kopriva, who won three matches to qualify, in the first round of Wimbledon on Tuesday. It will be his first encounter with the 27-year-old Czech.

The Serb is seeking a record 25th Grand Slam title and a record eighth triumph at Wimbledon, where Roger Federer holds the record for the men’s singles title.

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The 37-year-old suffered a torn meniscus in his fourth-round win over Francisco Cerundolo at the 2024 French Open in early June.

Djokovic underwent surgery on his right knee less than a month ago, but quickly recovered in time for the grass-court Grand Slam.

Speaking at his pre-tournament press conference at Wimbledon, Djokovic played down suggestions he should be careful with his movements to protect his knee.

“Once I’m on the court, my goal is to win the match and do everything possible to win it,” proclaimed the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

“I don’t see myself holding back. I don’t see myself calculating or being a little more cautious in the movement. I don’t see that happening. I’m going all in.

“That’s how I’ve played my whole career. If I didn’t feel like I could do that, I wouldn’t be talking to you.

“I won’t be in the draw. All the days I have spent here have only given me positive signs and encouraged me to think that I can do this. »

Djokovic also suggested that participating in Wimbledon was worth the potential risk, as he discussed the fact that the Paris Olympics would begin later this month.

“It’s probably less about a rational and logical explanation, but more about an inner feeling and a feeling of very great desire to play at Wimbledon. Any Grand Slam, but especially Wimbledon for me,” added the world number 2.

“I know the Olympics are right after, on a completely different surface. I know all that. But I’m thinking about Wimbledon. It’s a dream tournament. I had to focus all my attention on that.

“We’ve put in a huge amount of hours over the last three weeks, daily, into rehab, into exercises, basically increasing the level of intensity of training and rehab every day, of course paying close attention to the knee and reactions.

“I’ve never had a setback. If I had one, I’d wonder whether I should be here or not. But I haven’t had one. Why not take a chance?”

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