"I cannot believe": Ex-coach of Serena Williams expresses surprise after seeing Novak Djokovic play Wimbledon so soon after knee surgery

Rennae Stubbs, the ex-coach of former world number one Serena William, has expressed surprise after seeing Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic play in the upcoming Wimbledon 2024. The third Grand Slam of the year will begin on Monday, and players from all over the world will participate to showcase their talent at the highest level and secure the ultimate prize.

Djokovic, regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles, was uncertain about participating in the mega-event after suffering a knee injury during the French Open. That injury forced him to withdraw just before the start of the quarterfinal against Norway’s Casper Ruud.

After that injury, Djokovic underwent surgery, but despite that, he has been named in the main draw of the competition and will face Vit Kopriva of the Czech Republic in the tournament opener on Tuesday.

Stubbs, who worked with the former women’s world number one Serena, was recently quoted in a report in which she stated that she cannot believe Djokovic will be playing in the upcoming competition. She stated that she had a similar injury and surgery and thought that even returning six weeks after that was too early.

"I cannot believe [that Djokovic is playing Wimbledon 2024],” she said. “I've had two meniscus surgeries and I can tell you, six weeks was the minimum before I came back, and I still think that was too early for me. I cannot imagine having surgery on my knee and the first tournament I play is slippery grass, because you know the first day, you know Sam, you make one wrong step and bang! your knee goes down.”

Djokovic has a fabulous record at Wimbledon. He has won the title seven times in London, joint second-most, only behind Switzerland’s Roger Federer, who has won it eight times.