‘Don’t discount Novak Djokovic’ warns former world No 4 – as Serb ramps up injury recovery

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Former world No 4 Greg Rusedski has warned Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and tennis fans not to “discount” Novak Djokovic as the Serbian looks to bounce back from his injury setback.

Djokovic was forced to pull out of his French Open quarter-final due to a meniscus tear in his knee, having surgery on the issue later that week.

The world No 3 is a major doubt for Wimbledon in two weeks and also for the Olympic Games in Paris, where the Serbian will be looking for a first gold medal should he compete.

However, early signs look positive for Djokovic, with his rehabilitation post-surgery seemingly going well according to recent social media posts.

All eyes since his withdrawal have been on Sinner and Alcaraz, now world No 1 and No 2 on the ATP Rankings.

And while their rivalry is set to take over tennis in the future, 1997 US Open finalist Rusedski believes Djokovic should not be ruled out of contention.

“I think it’s [Sinner vs Alcaraz] going to be the rivalry for the future,” said Rusedski, at a ‘Pickleball Slam’ event in Kingston-upon-Thames.

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“They’re one and two in the world, Sinner’s No 1 – but don’t discount Novak Djokovic.

“A meniscus tear, I had one myself this year and I’m older, so it took me a while to get over it, but he might be back in time for the Olympics and I hear he’s super hungry, he wants to play for a few more years.

“Don’t discount Novak – let’s not forget that last year he won three of the four majors and was in the final of Wimbledon. I know a lot of people have been saying he’s slowing down, this and that.

“He’s human and I think he’s going to be back with a vengeance, so don’t discount him.”

Djokovic’s collection of 24 Grand Slam titles is an all-time record for the men’s game, with the Serbian overtaking tallies set by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in recent seasons.

He also has a record of 428 weeks as world No 1, though he was knocked off the top spot after Roland Garros – and it will be tough for him to earn that back.

But Rusedski feels that the Serbian will be unbothered by extending his reign as the world’s best player and that adding even more titles to his collection will be Djokovic’s long-term ambition.

He added: “Well, I don’t think he’s really worried about the No 1 so much, because that record he has at No 1 in the men’s game, I don’t think it will be broken.

“For him, if he won Olympic gold this year, he would have done everything he wanted this year and he’ll get ready for the majors next year.

“Once he’s 100% fit – I’m pretty sure he won’t be at Wimbledon, but he might sneak the Olympics – though he won’t risk it if he’s not healthy. I think he’ll be back at the US Open with a bang, ready to go.

“Don’t discount him.”