Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and has left a legacy that will transcend the sport.
However, whilst technically superior to most others, what makes him so impressive is his work rate, having constructed the perfect physical form to compete at the highest level.
His body has allowed him to do some truly remarkable things, but recovering from a torn meniscus in his knee in less than one month might just have topped that list.
Novak Djokovic reveals what he was told after Roland Garros
Speaking to the Tennis Channel after his win over Alex de Minaur, as is customary despite no match being played, those on the panel were left with little to talk about regarding his recent performances.
After all, his wins over Holger Rune, Jacob Fearnley and Alexei Popyrin have been covered, and the Australian’s injury absence meant there was no fresh footage to scrutinise.
Instead, they sought to question the 37-year-old’s recovery, seeking to find out what prompted him to risk it all for Wimbledon.
Djokovic would reveal the advice he received following that Roland Garros devastation: ‘Well, [I rate this physical recovery] right at the top in terms of the time that was required for me to come back to the desired level.
‘It was the first time I had faced this kind of particular knee injury. I had never had a major knee injury and I unfortunately injured myself mid-match in the fourth round at Roland Garros. I had torn my meniscus.
‘A part of it had to be taken out which was obviously not where it’s supposed to be. I decided, along with my team members, to go to have an arthroscopic intervention literally a day or two days after that fourth round match, and the reason why is because I was actually advising myself with all the orthopaedic doctors around the world and they all said the same thing.
‘They were for once unanimous in their opinion that it has to be operated and that the recovery time will be much quicker than if I were actually not operated or if I tried to sew it up altogether.’
Novak Djokovic is looking unimpaired at Wimbledon
It is the measure of the superhuman man that he is that Djokovic has made a torn meniscus recovery look easy, and his reintegration into professional tennis so seamless.
He has brushed aside almost everyone he has faced throughout this Wimbledon tournament, and whilst his proficiency on grass was renowned before this year, to perform as such, throughout a tournament where there have been so many injuries and retirements, is remarkable.
Just by simply being in SW19, the Serbian is taking a big risk, and with the Olympics coming up later this summer, his ultimate prize awaits.
And yet, such is the allure of Wimbledon, he could not let this chance pass him by.
By the end of this summer, Djokovic might have ended the GOAT debate, should he win this Grand Slam and stand alone as the most decorated player, male or female, at Grand Slam events, and then add the Olympics to his trophy cabinet too.
Given how unimpaired he appears to be at the moment, and with additional rest after Alex de Minaur sadly retired from Wimbledon, discount the greats at your own peril.
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