Novak Djokovic's pivotal challenge: successful injury rehabilitation, says Casey Dellacqua
ATPMonday, 10 June 2024 at 16:15
Former Australian tennis player Casey Dellacqua believes
that the most important thing for Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic
is to rehab from the injury correctly.
The 36-year-old is often regarded as the greatest player in
the history of men’s tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand
Slam titles.
Djokovic is having a difficult 2024 season. He has not played in the final of any event. That streak continued when he had to withdraw
from the French Open because of a knee injury just before the start of the
quarterfinal.
After the injury, Djokovic had to undergo surgery, which has also prevented his participation in the upcoming Wimbledon and Olympics.
Dellacqua was quoted in a report stating that the former world number one's most important thing is to have a proper diagnosis of his injury, which can lead to proper rehabilitation. She also suggested that in her opinion, the current world number two is not that keen to take part in Olympics.
“I think for someone like Novak Djokovic, if he can get back
on the grass and set up some practice matches,” she said. “But I think the main
thing that Novak's worrying about, is the fact that he needs to get this injury
right. And I would suspect he's very, very keen for the Olympic Games, for that
gold medal opportunity. Wish him the best with recovery and we'll wait to see
if we see him at Wimbledon.”
Novak Djokovic was forced to withdraw from the French Open because of a knee injury.
If Djokovic fails to play at Wimbledon, it will open an
opportunity for Djokovic to finish the year without winning a major event.
There have been only six seasons where the Belgrade-born star has failed to lift
a Grand Slam in his career.
The most recent of such instances came in 2017 when he failed to win a single major title. That year, he was knocked out of the Australian
Open after losing in the second round, then lost in the quarterfinal of the
French Open, came second-best in the quarterfinal at Wimbledon and could not
take part in the US Open.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- "This of course a stark change to Rybakina who is obviously more timid..." That just may be the dumbest thing ever written about Lena. For a CCO, Mr. Gill seems to have either made an error in judgement -- or needed filler for this article -- to say something so ridiculous.
mandoist13-09-2026 - “The way I like to put it – no disrespect to anybody – is that this is her house, and all the other girls are just guests, and it’s time for them to go home” Well now... seems John Stacy has made a complete ass of himself. Doubt he'll be receiving any invitations to Lena's "house" any time soon.mandoist13-09-2026
- I am sorry, but Sabalenka has NO EXCUSE for her despicable behaviour. She lacks self and mouth control! The message is being sent but Saba isn't getting it! She is full of arrogance and pride. Hopefully, after this defeat she will be on the way to becoming a humble lady LIKE ELENA! I hope she never regains the world No. 1 until she develops some humility.Rapunzel13-09-2026
- Sabalenka began showing signs of her game gradually 'changing' since last season. I predicted her fascination with posting endless Selfies, participating in commercial media distractions and constant Social Media nonsense could impact her in a negative way. Her off-court Life was sure to interfere with her performace level. Visions of Raducanu, Giorgi, Bouchard come to mind. The Final yesterday was a weird case of polar-opposites. Sabalenka and Rybakina could not be any more different in personalities! Saba often portrays a somewhat fake persona, including her Phony Screaming. Her usual habit of acting like the nice girl with a sense of humor is a misconception. People take her lack of intellect as "cute" and "funny". So anyway... yesterday viewers witnessed that Fake Scream be reduced to a whimper and sometimes no vocal gymnastics at all once she knew the jig was up. We all saw her look into the camera post-match and say "F... You". Also, pretty hard to not see Saba making untoward facial expressions, rolling her eyes, etc., behind Rybakina while on the podium. Elena Rybakina, on the other hand, was her usual 'in-control' self as she spoke clearly and calmly, without making faces nor any ill-will toward anyone = 100% Class Act. Lena appeared more than aware of Saba's sour attitude and made a point of not looking in her direction most of the time. FWIW: I have never -- not ever -- heard Sabalenka make any sounds on practice courts. So it is indeed a nonsensical ruse as she thinks (incorrectly) it affects opponents. It does not. In fact, as was the case yesterday, I saw Lena occasionally take a side-eye glance at Saba on her way to the bench... as if to calculate her emotions. Saba is actually a very easy 'read'.mandoist13-09-2026
- WTA really, really hates this sort of thing. They surely are satisfied to make believe no such thing happens (or happened).mandoist13-09-2026
- WTA and ATP cannot even make their dope testing equal and precise across the board. They sure as hell cannot escape a stituation they themselves made over the ridiculous "penalty" of omitting a player's country flag. Nothing regarding which flags to display (or not) should be a Thing. It proves nothing; solves nothing. If anything, all it did was cause stress, tension, and even outbursts between players in the WTA locker room. Let's not even start with the asinine practice of not shaking hands at the net with "the enemy". There seems to be a general lack of intelligence behind Pro Tennis administrations' Closed Doors. .mandoist13-09-2026
- Big Babe Tennis! Hoping for a good final.DaveyWavey12-09-2026
- Director needs to return to his old "job" at the Australia Open. He's clueless in NYC.mandoist12-09-2026
- You keep writing ridiculous crap... why are you even watching tennis?mandoist12-09-2026
- They probably have a very good reason for this. I do not get it. Annoying that it finishes so late
AceOfBase12-09-2026
Loading
