Novak Djokovic is performing feats of superhuman physicality at Wimbledon at the moment.
Just the fact that he is playing alone is remarkable, but having now charged into the quarterfinals, dropping just two sets in the process, people are starting to believe that the 37-year-old could actually win the whole thing despite his pre-tournament injury worries.
There are plenty of elite-level obstacles still in his way, but discounting Djokovic has proven a foolish thing to do throughout his career.
However, that being said, John McEnroe was still left questioning a puzzling occurrence in his recent win over Holger Rune.
John McEnroe thinks something weird just happened to Novak Djokovic
Chatting about Djokovic mid-way through his comfortable win over Rune, both Nick Kyrgios, McEnroe and the main commentator were stunned by the rate at which the former kept slipping.
Reaching for balls out wide, his footing often failed him, and there was even a moment where he slipped twice in one point, with the second time leaving him sprawled out on the ground as his opponent tapped into an empty court.
It is inexplicable given how the roof has been closed almost all tournament due to adverse weather conditions, but Kyrgios actually suggested that this could be the reason behind the sleek surface.
He told BBC Sport: ’He’s done it [slipped] a couple times there the big fella. Whatever it is it’s not good to see, someone like Dimitrov later in his career playing some of his best tennis. I hate to see him go down like that.
‘What do you put it down to John? Maybe the grass not seeing as much sun as usual?’
McEnroe replied: ’He has slipped a lot over the years but that was weird. And they’re indoors so it seems like it would be drier.’
How long can Novak Djokovic’s knee hold up at Wimbledon?
With all these slips, and the constant pressure his relentless play style commands, it is a wonder how much longer Djokovic’s knee can hold up.
The Serbian suffered a tear in the meniscus of his right knee during his fourth-round French Open clash with Francisco Cerundolo, and despite being behind, he came from two sets to one down to win.
That injury was sustained due to a slip on the clay, which prompted Djokovic to complain about the Roland Garros courts, and understandably so given the extent of the issue.
Swiftly deciding on having surgery, his mere presence at Wimbledon seemed unlikely.
So, to see him into the quarterfinals is simply ridiculous.
However, with Alex de Minaur next, and potentially Taylor Fritz then to come, things will not get any easier, and the physical demands will almost certainly increase.
Whether his knee can sustain this mounting pressure remains to be seen.
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