A Special Connection to the Tournament
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are two out of the 128 tennis players participating in the men’s singles draw at Wimbledon. Both tennis players have a unique relationship with the prestigious tournament.
Djokovic’s Miraculous Recovery
The Serbian, the second most successful player on the grass court of the All England Club, is eager to win at Wimbledon. Djokovic has won seven times at the tournament, just behind Roger Federer’s eight. Djokovic’s passion for winning has driven him to push through difficulties, including a series of injuries in recent years. He recently underwent surgery in Paris and was forced to withdraw from the French Open. Despite a 27-day recovery period recommended by doctors, Djokovic opted to rush back onto the court. He credits athletes who have gone through similar situations, including Taylor Fritz, Lindsay Vonn, and Stan Wawrinka, with the confidence to make his remarkable recovery.
“I wasn’t willing to miss Wimbledon,” Djokovic said.
Murray’s Long-Awaited Farewell
Meanwhile, Andy Murray is gearing up to end his tennis career on the very same Centre Court where he will face Tomas Machac in the first round on Tuesday. The Scotsman had to withdraw from the French Open due to a lingering back issue that required surgery to remove a cyst.
“Just a few years ago in Australia was somewhat uncomfortable,” Murray admitted, referring to a ceremony held in his honor after a farewell match at the Australian Open.
Murray’s determination to continue competing despite chronic hip pain led him to partner with Bob Bryan, an American athlete who had undergone the same surgery. While Murray’s physical struggles have diminished his performance, he remains adamant about bidding farewell to the game on the iconic grass court at the All England Club.