Serbian doctor gives Novak Djokovic Wimbledon hope, uses footballer who returned in 19 days as example
ATP
Novak Djokovic looks to be out at least until Hamburg European Open before the Olympic Games where he looks set to make his return as a warm-up. But the 24-time Grand Slam champion could return for Wimbledon if a Serbian doctor's theory is to be believed.
Djokovic suffered a meniscus tear on his right knee during the match against Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round of the 2024 French Open. However, he only found out about the severity of the injury afterwards due to a MRI. He had been playing with pain for sometime but had failed to get it checked out.
He withdrew ahead of his Quarter-Final against Casper Ruud with the Norwegian went on to lose against Alexander Zverev. He decided to get surgery instead of letting it heal on its own. The quick operation was deemed necessary due to the window until his next tournament with the Olympic Games in particular a priority.
Dr Goran Rodic speaking to Sportal said that he could still play both tournaments though with the Serbian doctor pointing towards a football player who plays for Sevilla being back on the pitch after 19 days so it can be done. But whether Djokovic at his age goes fro that approach or more caution remains to be seen.
"An arthroscopy was performed. It belongs to small, weak surgical methods. The body is entered through two holes with a camera and surgical instruments, and then the doctor sees everything in the knee that is wrong."
"We were told that of everything in the knee, and there is a lot of it, only the inner meniscus was damaged. In relation to the troubles that the knee can bring, it belongs to mild injuries and prognostically is the best possible condition."
"The good news is that in 90 per cent of cases it does not require surgical intervention. Maybe Novak's injury did not require surgical intervention, however, we who are involved in the examination of athletes suggest that if it is a battle against time, it should be solved surgically because then the rehabilitation is somewhat faster. That works in favor of Novak."
"I assume that Wimbledon is in his head, I hope so. There are examples, you have Nemanja Gudelj from Sevilla who had a similar situation and he was absent for only 19 days."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Was Saba not paying attention to those who sought an inordinate amount of attention outside of their sport (occupation)... and to the point they lost their focus and eventually their place in tennis? For example: Giorgi, Bouchard, Raducanu, etc. They became infatuated with endless Selfies, videos, podcasts, TV commercials, magazine shoots, and so on. Thus their tennis suffered. Priorities are important.
mandoist14-11-2026 - I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.mandoist12-11-2026
- Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
