Wimbledon 2024: Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic set to play despite injury worries

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, both past winners of Wimbledon, recently confirmed their participation in the upcoming tournament despite recent surgeries and ongoing recovery from injuries. Murray, who won the championship in 2013 and 2016, seemed set to skip his final appearance at the All England Club after a back surgery last weekend, while Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon winner, underwent a knee operation earlier in June following an injury at the French Open.

This Friday, both athletes, who are 37 and have been professional rivals throughout their careers, were officially included in the Wimbledon draw, signaling their readiness to compete in the prestigious event beginning next Monday.

In the first round, Murray, currently ranked 115th globally, will go against Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic, who has bested him twice this year. On the other side, Djokovic, the second seed, is set to face another Czech, the 123rd-ranked newcomer to Wimbledon, Vit Kopriv.

Despite a recent operation to remove a spinal cyst, Murray expressed doubts about his ability to compete in singles, detailing a recent bout of leg weakness and coordination loss. However, he and his brother Jamie received the last wildcard entry for the men’s doubles at Wimbledon.

Murray is eyeing the upcoming Paris Olympics as the final event of his storied career. Machac has previously defeated Murray in Marseille and Miami this year, and he also surprised Djokovic by winning against him in the Geneva semi-finals right before the French Open.

Djokovic remains committed to competing at Wimbledon, provided his fitness allows him to contend seriously for the title. He withdrew from the French Open quarter-finals due to a torn knee meniscus but has expressed intentions to play at Wimbledon only if his physical condition permits a genuine championship bid.

Djokovic, who has been a finalist at Wimbledon for the last five years and a winner of 24 Grand Slams, aims to finally claim an Olympic gold medal at the upcoming Paris Games starting July 26.

The Wimbledon draw also highlights Jannik Sinner, the current Australian Open champion and top seed, who will begin his campaign against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann, possibly facing Italian Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 runner-up, in the second round. Carlos Alcaraz, seeded third, will start against Estonia’s Mark Lajal, ranked 262nd, on Centre Court.