Five weeks ago, Novak Djokovic underwent a knee procedure in Paris, withdrawing from Roland Garros and racing against time ahead of Wimbledon. The greatest player of all time not only entered the draw at the All England Club but scored five wins for a place in his tenth Wimbledon final from the previous 13 trips to London!
The 37-year-old presented his incredible physical and mental strength, overcoming early issues and feeling no major problems with his troubled knee. Novak took down Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-final, setting the title clash against Carlos Alcaraz.
The Italian praised the Serb and his incredible level, especially in the return segment. Lorenzo did not feel anything wrong with Novak’s movement in the previous encounters or against him, with the Serb keeping everything under control en route to his 37th Major final at 37.
Djokovic kicked off his 19th Wimbledon campaign against Vit Kopriva, stepping on the court with a protection over his right knee. The seven-time champion scored a dominant victory, playing well on serve and return and outplaying a qualifier for a winning start.
Djokovic’s first real test came in the second round against an opponent ranked outside the top-250! Jacob Fearnley pushed the 24-time Major winner to the limits before falling in four sets. The Briton clinched a late break in the third set, taking it 7-5 and attacking the legend.
The lower-ranked player stood two points away from clinching the fourth set and forcing a decider. However, Novak stayed focused and grabbed a late break to move over the top and avoid spending more time on the court. Djokovic faced another tough opponent in the third round.
Alexei Popyrin challenged the Serb at the Australian Open and made a promising start at the All England Club after taking the opening set.
Novak Djokovic defeated Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets at Wimbledon.
Novak raised his level and clinched the following three, sealing the deal and entering the fourth round.
Djokovic faced his good friend Holger Rune and ousted the young gun in straight sets after a rock-solid display. Novak toppled his rival and endured the pressure from the stands, moving into the quarter-final and arranging the clash against Alex de Minaur.
It could have been an exciting duel, but Alex withdrew due to a hip injury experienced in the closing stages of his previous duel against Arthur Fils. Thus, Novak got a couple of days off the court and further rested his knee, preparing for the semi-final clash against the first-time Major semi-finalist Lorenzo Musetti.
The veteran beat the young gun 6-4, 7-6, 6-4 for a place in the tenth Wimbledon final. Novak covered the court beautifully, feeling no issues with his knee and rushing to the net over 50 times. The Italian challenged his rival, delivering two breaks and building the advantage in two sets.
However, the Serb performed better in the pivotal moments, using his experience and passing all the challenges en route to his 37th Major final.
They hit a similar number of winners, and Musetti added fewer unforced errors. However, Djokovic drew more forced errors, attacking and pressuring his opponent. Novak stepped in with his return, taking 44% of the points in Lorenzo’s games and delivering four breaks from 13 opportunities.
Djokovic played against only four break points, losing serve two times and erasing the deficit in two sets. Novak clinched half of the return points in the opening set and grabbed two breaks. They served well early on before Djokovic shifted into a higher gear at 3-2.
The Serb secured a break and moved in front, holding in the next one for a 5-2 advantage. Musetti prolonged the set with a hold in game eight, and Djokovic served for the opener in the next one.
The veteran faced the first issues in his games at 5-3, squandering set points and getting broken after the rival’s forehand winner.
Lorenzo served in game nine and experienced another break, allowing Novak to grab the opener 6-4 and gain a boost. Musetti produced his second straight break at the beginning of the second set and defended two break points in the next one to cement the lead.
Djokovic stayed patient and pulled the break back in game six. They served well in the next five games, and Lorenzo needed another fine hold to introduce a tie break. The Italian defended a set point in the 12th game before falling 3-0 behind in the tie break.
Novak won it 7-2 after a smash winner, building a massive lead ahead of the third set. Djokovic clinched a break in the first game, moving closer to the finish line. The Serb served well in the following games and forged a 5-3 advantage.
Lorenzo faced three match points on serve in game nine, defending them and prolonging the battle. The Italian created his fourth and last break point in game ten, adding more drama. Novak saved it and converted the fourth match point, moving into the final.
I watched Novak’s previous matches and noticed no physical issues caused by his knee. He did not play his best tennis in the opening rounds.
Still, he had enough time to rest his knee, skipping the quarter-final duel and collecting more days off the court. Novak did not struggle in the movement segment, at least from my point of view,” Lorenzo Musetti said.
