"I felt like I let myself down": Novak Djokovic says he cried after having first surgery after avoiding it for years
ATP
Novak
Djokovic recently spoke about the surgery he underwent in 2018, despite always
being someone dedicated to injury prevention. The Serbian recalled how
difficult it was to make the decision to undergo surgery after an inconsistent
season in 2017.
The 2017
season is the only one that Djokovic has finished outside the top 10 between
2007 and the present (ending the year as world No. 12). He was unable to play
in the US Open and subsequent tournaments of the year, and it seemed that Nole
would begin to drop from the top echelons of the Tour.
The Serbian
acknowledged that the injury to his elbow was the result of wear and tear from
many seasons and commented that he had no other option at that time: "I
believe very strongly in prevention, not only in sports, but in anything really
in life. So, I've had only one major surgery, I had a major injury to my elbow.
Wear and tear, obviously, over the years, a lot of long matches, long
seasons," the world No. 1 said.
"And I
was always really against tables and painkillers, and I never really wanted to
get into that, but I had to, there was no other way, I started the season. I
was avoiding surgery at all costs, but I realized I had to have surgery,"
24-times Grand Slam champion added.
"I
cried after surgery not because I was in pain, but because I felt like I let
myself down. Because my philosophy is to avoid surgeries, do everything I can
to avoid going under the knife. I felt like my mom was there, and she was
trying to convince me it was fine."
After the
surgery, the 2018 season ended on a high note, with Djokovic winning the
Wimbledon and US Open titles, in addition to the Cincinnati Open and Shanghai
Open, finishing the year as world No. 1. Since the surgery, Djokovic has won 12
Grand Slam and 10 Masters 1000 titles.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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