Why Novak Djokovic opting to have knee surgery immediately after French Open injury was the best career decision he made
A teary-eyed Novak Djokovic took to the podium after "completing tennis" (so to say) at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Serbian won the only title that eluded him, the Olympic gold medal, in Paris to complete a Career Golden Slam in tennis. The 37-year-old joined Rafael Nadal as the only current active player to achieve the feat and cement his place as the greatest tennis player ever. However, this all looked like a distant dream when the Serbian picked up a knee injury during the French Open eight weeks ago.
Djokovic withdrew before the quarterfinal of the French Open due to a torn meniscus. Losing the then World No. 1 and the defending champion at Roland Garros to an injury came as a big shock and questions were asked about the Serbian's future in tennis.
Novak Djokovic opted for a major knee surgery before Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic's French Open withdrawal had not only drawn questions about his short-term future but his long-term aspirations too. The Serbian suffered a major knee injury with his beloved grass court season, including Wimbledon, on the horizon but more importantly just eight weeks away from the Olympic games.
On 6 June, Djokovic took to social media to announce that he had undergone surgery on his right knee. The 37-year-old claimed that the surgery went well and he would try to return to professional tennis as soon as possible. However, no one would have expected a comeback as successful as he made.
“In the past day, I had to make some tough decisions after sustaining a meniscus tear during my last match. I’m still processing it all but I am happy to update you that the surgery went well. I’m going to do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible," Djokovic wrote in his social media post.
The Serbian's decision to undergo surgery less than a month away from the Wimbledon Championship all but ruled him out from the SW19, it appeared. However, the Serbian confirmed his participation in London and made it to the final where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic's decision to undergo surgery just two days after withdrawing from the French Open has turned out to be a masterclass. The Serbian got enough time to rest and recover before creating history just two months later in Paris.
Why Novak Djokovic was brave in opting for surgery ahead of a busy tennis schedule
Undergoing a major surgery at the age of 37 is a big decision for any sportsperson. Novak Djokovic's decision to go in for knee surgery during the grass court season, and with the Olympics on clay courts on the horizon, will go down as one of his best-ever career decisions.
In the recent past, we have seen Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal struggle after surgery. Federer lost his pace after an operation on his knee while both Nadal and Murray have struggled with movement and speed after their hip surgeries. While Djokovic's surgery was not as severe as the other three, there was always a question mark about his return to form at this stage of his career, where things can go wrong very quickly.
Additionally, the change of surface from the grass at Wimbledon to the clay courts in Paris just weeks apart from each other would have played a role in Djokovic's decision-making. It is difficult to adapt to different surfaces, especially after a major surgery and the Serbian would have considered all these facts before opting for the surgery. However, his decision has now paid dividends as he takes home his first-ever Olympic gold medal after a historic outing in Paris.
Djokovic had been candid in sharing before the start of the season that his main aim in 2024 was to win an Olympic gold medal. The Serbian had won everything in tennis except the gold for his country but now his trophy cabinet is complete.
After Djokovic's surgery announcement in early June, this looked like a far-fetched dream. However, the Serbian's sheer determination and love for the sport has pushed him to the top of the tennis pyramid with no one else close to him.