Novak Djokovic sparks fresh Wimbledon injury rumours after surprise move

Novak Djokovic has talked up his hopes of making a shock recovery from a knee injury to play at Wimbledon next week, but fresh doubts were raised over his intentions after he took a surprise trip to Germany.

Djokovic was a high-profile cheerleader to Serbia as his nation aimed to keep their Euro 2024 hopes alive in their final Group C game in Munich, with his appearance on the touchline prior to kick-off something of a surprise.

Djokovic may have hoped his appearance would have inspired Serbia to success but a 0-0 draw against Denmark ended their hopes of progress in the competition.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is recovering from knee surgery to repair an injury sustained at the French Open earlier this month.

It initially looked as if the seven-time champion had no chance of competing at this year’s tournament, but he has made rapid progress and had a two-hour training session at Wimbledon’s Aorangi Park practice courts on Monday.

He offered up some positive comments after his practice session, as he hinted his hopes of playing at Wimbledon were increasing.

“I didn’t come here to play a few rounds,” Djokovic told BBC Sport.

“If I know I can play close to my maximum or at maximum, then I’ll play. If not, then I’ll give somebody else a chance to play.

“I really will only play if I know I am in a state which is good enough to go far in the tournament and fight for the title, so that’s the condition.

“Rehab is going in the right direction every single day, a few per cent better and better. That’s what’s giving me hope and encouragement to keep going.

“I’m taking things gradually. I’m not pushing myself yet 100 per cent but I’m hoping that’s going to come in the next few days.”

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A quick flight to Germany on a private jet with his ever-present agent Mark Madden may not be evidence that Djokovic has given up on his Wimbledon dream.

Yet it was a surprising decision to step away from his intense preparation for Wimbledon for what may be a flying visit to Germany.

We will now wait to see whether Djokovic will be back at Wimbledon on Wednesday to step up his preparation for the third Grand Slam of the year, with former British No 1 suggesting the Serbian will be defying all logic if he plays at the All England Club.

“Honestly, it would be a miracle if he plays,” Robson told Tennis365 in an exclusive interview.

“I remember Taylor Fritz had a similar situation where he had surgery on his knee and played Wimbledon three weeks later and ended up doing pretty well, all things considered, but he is ten years younger and I’m sure things get harder at the age of 37.

“I would be shocked if he plays a best-of-five match, but this is Novak. If he is in the draw and he feels like he can have a good run at it, then you can’t rule him out.

“He had not had his best season, but we have seen him have periods where his form dips and then he comes back and wins again. That is what Djokovic has done throughout his career.

“Novak will only play at Wimbledon if he believes he can win and he is always going to be a threat whenever he is in the draw. He is Djokovic for a reason.

“At this stage of his career and when he has won everything there is to win, there would be zero point in going through the motions.

“He could be at home and literally doing anything else in his life, but he is at Wimbledon this week and he is seeing what he can do. He would not be here unless he believed he could have a big chance of winning.”