When Djokovic revealed he underwent knee surgery on June 5th after suffering a meniscus tear at Roland Garros, most players heading to Wimbledon probably felt relieved; this presented an opportunity for them to advance without facing off against the seven-time champion. Witnessing Djokovic donning a brace during practice likely led many to believe he wouldn't be competitive immediately post-surgery. However, they underestimated him once more.
Five weeks later, at 37 years old and just five days after returning from surgery, Djokovic finds himself in the 10th Wimbledon final of his career – a record holder for grand slam finals - facing Lorenzo Musetti of Italy. His recent triumph over Musetti sets up an anticipated rematch with last year's runner-up Carlos Alcaraz and presents Djokovic another chance to achieve a historic milestone: equaling Roger Federer's eight Wimbledon victories, while also solidifying his position as the most successful male or female player in terms of major titles. The numbers are truly extraordinary.
Prior to this match, Djokovic had voiced concerns over crowd behavior, accusing them of being disrespectful towards him by ostensibly chanting "Ruuune" during his previous match against Holger Rune. This time around, when Djokovic turned the racket in a playful manner to mimic playing the violin for celebration, any murmurs from the audience were overshadowed by an enthusiastic ovation and cheers.
During a post-match interview, Djokovic shared his childhood dream of competing at Wimbledon despite growing up amidst conflict in Serbia – recalling Nato bombings while emphasizing that he doesn't take his successes for granted. He admitted to initially not knowing if he would participate in the tournament and expressed gratitude, yet also stated his aspirations of continuing past this momentous occasion.
Musetti, just 22 years old and making a Wimbledon semi-final appearance, could not have performed better - limiting himself to only 22 unforced errors during the match. However, despite displaying incredible backhand skills and generating several impressive shots, Musetti ultimately couldn't overcome Djokovic's relentless tactics.
Although Djokovic appeared slightly less fluid in his movements initially, he now appears to be at full strength - even with the right knee brace still in place. Throughout the match, Djokovic maintained an aggressive approach, aiming for quick points and utilizing various techniques like sliding, charging, and gliding around the court. When Musetti pressed, Djokovic responded promptly or patiently awaited his chance to strike back – a relentless performance that ultimately led him towards victory.
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