After being operated on for a meniscus three weeks ago, Novak Djokovic played “painless“during an exhibition match against Daniil Medvedev on Friday in London, three days before the start of Wimbledon.”I can tell you that I really enjoyed it. Tennis without pain is the best! I didn’t have any pain and I’m very happy about it.“, said the Serb after beating the Russian 6-3, 6-4 at the Hurlingham Club in the British capital.
“I had played a few practice sets but I wanted to take a real test. It was a success. The last three weeks have been intense, I spent a lot of time on rehabilitation” said the seven-time Wimbledon champion, who wore a bandage on his knee but never seemed hampered in his game. Djokovic, 37, had to have surgery after being injured during Roland-Garros. He had to declare withdrawal before the quarter-finals.
Friday, the draw gave him the 123rd in the world, the Czech Vit Kopriva, as an opponent in the first round of Wimbledon where he will be seeded N.2, having ceded the first place in the world to the Italian Jannik Sinner. “I absolutely wanted to give myself a chance to play at Wimbledon. I think my surgeon is here. He’s the MVP of the last three weeks“, said the holder of the record for Grand Slam victories (24).
