Is Novak Djokovic playing at Wimbledon 2024? Injury latest and 24-time grand slam champion's expected return

07-01-2024
4 min read
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Novak Djokovic is part of Wimbledon's fabric - having won the grand slam title seven times at the All England Club.

Injury has threatened to derail a 19th appearance for the 37-year-old on the famous grass courts as his career enters its twilight.

Will the Serbian legend play at Wimbledon?

The Sporting News has all the latest.

MORE: When does Wimbledon 2024 start?

Will Novak Djokovic play at Wimbledon 2024?

At this stage, Novak Djokovic is expected to play in the Wimbledon first round against Vit Kopriva.

The match will be on Tuesday, July 2 with the time TBC.

Djokovic's participation in the event was in serious doubt after having knee surgery less than three weeks ago in Paris.

Prior to the tournament, the ATP Tour reported that Djokovic was withdrawing from Wimbledon - but the post was deleted a short time later.

However, Djokovic arrived at the All England Club with a compression bandage on his knee and sleeve on his right arm.

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"I arrived here on Sunday. It's been a week of training. Very good week of training. I had, particularly the last three days, very intense tennis sessions," Djokovic said.

"I had points, practice sets played with (Jannik) Sinner, with Frances Tiafoe, with (Daniil) Medvedev yesterday, and Emil Ruusuvuori and then today with (Holger) Rune, as well. Really top players that are playing great tennis on grass. High intensity. Lots of situations on the court where the knee is tested to almost the maximum.

"The knee has responded very well to all of that so far, which, of course, then is a great sign for my participation in Wimbledon. That's why I decided to be in the draw."

Latest Novak Djokovic injury update

Djokovic was forced to withdraw in the fourth-round of the French Open earlier this month after tearing the medial meniscus in his right knee.

The world no.2 had surgery immediately on his right knee in Paris - approximately three weeks ago.

Djokovic is hoping to be fit for Wimbledon and Olympics in Paris, which are held through July-August.

American no.1 Taylor Fritz recovered from a similar injury suffered at the French Open 2021 to reach the third round at Wimbledon about a month later.

Novak Djokovic career earnings

To date, as per the ATP, Djokovic has made $182m (£143m) in career earnings, making him the highest earner the sport has ever seen.

Rafael Nadal ($134.8m/£106.2m) is next on the all-time list. The Spanish great will not be playing at Wimbledon.

Djokovic has already raked nearly $2m (£1,6m) in prize money earnings in 2024.