Former British No 1 finds a word to describe Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon comeback plan

Kevin Palmer
Laura Robson on Novak Djokovic
Laura Robson shared her views on Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has declared he has a chance to play at Wimbledon next week and former British No 1 Laura Robson admits she is shocked by the speed of his recovery from knee surgery.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion underwent surgery on his knee on June 5, after he was forced to pull out of the French Open.

Playing a Wimbledon appeared to be out of the question at that point for Djokovic, but he has made a remarkable recovery and has now had two practice sessions at the All England Club as he closes in on a decision on whether he is fit enough to play the third Grand Slam of the year.

“I’m going to take it day by day and then make a decision based over the next four or five, six days and if I know that I can play close to my maximum or at maximum, then I’ll play if not, then give somebody else a chance to play,” said Djokovic on Monday.

Now Laura Robson has given her verdict on Djokovic’s incredible recovery, as she spoke to this website at a Play Your Way To Wimbledon event.

“Honestly, it would be a miracle if he plays,” Robson told Tennis365 in an exclusive interview.

“I remember Taylor Fritz had a similar situation where he had surgery on his knee and played Wimbledon three weeks later and ended up doing pretty well, all things considered, but he is ten years younger and I’m sure things get harder at the age of 37.

“I would be shocked if he plays a best-of-five match, but this is Novak. If he is in the draw and he feels like he can have a good run at it, then you can’t rule him out.

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“He had not had his best season, but we have seen him have periods where his form dips and then he comes back and wins again. That is what Djokovic has done throughout his career.

“Novak will only play at Wimbledon if he believes he can win and he is always going to be a threat whenever he is in the draw. He is Djokovic for a reason.

“At this stage of his career and when he has won everything there is to win, there would be zero point in going through the motions.

“He could be at home and literally doing anything else in his life, but he is at Wimbledon this week and he is seeing what he can do. He would not be here unless he believed he could have a big chance of winning.”

Djokovic’s recovery is nothing short of remarkable, but playing best-of-five-set tennis is very different from playing a couple of practice sets in second gear on a practice court.

“I’m not pushing myself yet 100% but I’m hoping that’s going to come within the next few days,” added the world No 2.

“The rehab has been going in the right direction every single day.

“I’m going to take it day by day and then make a decision based over the next four or five, six days and if I know that I can play close to my maximum or at maximum, then I’ll play if not, then give somebody else a chance to play.”

Djokovic has until Friday morning to make a final decision on his participation at Wimbledon, where he has been named as the No 2 seed.

Vodafone, Official Connectivity Partner of Wimbledon, is working with Laura Robson to inspire the next generation of tennis players through Play Your Way To Wimbledon.