Novak Djokovic scripted one of the most miraculous stories in sports by recovering from a knee injury in less than four weeks to compete at Wimbledon. The Serb’s rapid recovery has left many wondering about its authenticity and the secret behind his swift comeback.
This injury occurred in the fourth round of the French Open, leading him to withdraw from the tournament. However, he made an incredible comeback just in time for Wimbledon, hoping to add another Grand Slam to his collection.
Djokovic found a physiotherapist from France, Jean-Georges Cellier, who is known for working with top athletes from other sports, including soccer.
The Frenchman revealed in an interview with L’Equipe recently that Djokovic’s willpower surpasses any athlete he has treated, giving a lot of credit to Djokovic for his recovery. “Novak’s determination is unmatched”, the physiotherapist stated, highlighting the athlete’s mental and physical strength.
“J’ai travaillé avec énormément de grands champions, mais un homme avec autant de volonté, je ne savais pas que ça existait. Avec Novak (Djokovic), je suis entré dans une autre dimension. Il a en lui une puissance et une force intérieure uniques.” https://t.co/oIaBh0blB3
— Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) July 11, 2024
The physiotherapist canceled his work commitment in Morocco with two Ligue 1 soccer players at the last minute, to respond to Djokovic’s urgent call for help.
“Novak’s urgency and goodwill compelled me to assist”, the Frenchman explained, showcasing the dedication involved in Djokovic’s recovery process.
Djokovic’s fitness and ability to recover from injuries are key reasons he remains a formidable threat in any tournament at the age of 37. This resilience has enabled him to surpass Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the record books.
Even Federer recently expressed disbelief in an interview with ESPN that Djokovic could compete at Wimbledon after such an injury since he knows how difficult recovery is.
Djokovic beat Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the second semi-final on Friday after getting a vital 3-day break. With that, he set up a clash with Carlos Alcaraz in the final of Wimbledon 2024 on Sunday, July 14 not before 8.30 AM EST. It is set to be a rematch of the 2023 final, which Alcaraz won in 5 sets.
Fans in the US can watch the live stream on ESPN, while those in the UK can tune in on BBC Sport.
