Novak Djokovic: I Decided to Skip Monte Carlo Becuase of Knee Troubles, Fatigue [Video]

by Tom Gainey | April 11th, 2011, 10:13 am
  • 8 Comments

Even though he withdrew from the Rolex Monte Carlo, Novak Djokovic, who has a home in the tournament city, made himself available for the press this weekend.

Djokovic with Friday citing a bad knee injury talked about his reason from withdrawing from the Masters 1000 event. Djokovic said it was the knee, which had been bothering him the last two months, and an overall fatigue issue from his incredible start to the season.

So it certainly doesn’t sound serious or anything to worry about.


He also says that he still has a lot to prove in order to be compared with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. “It’s too early to talk about me taking over (Roger and Rafa) it’s just the start of the season,” he said. “I feel that there’s a lot more to prove and a lot more to win in order to be be compared with those two guys.”

Djokovic has won all four tournaments he has entered in 2011 and he’s 5-0 combined against Nadal (2) and Federer (3). Overall the Serb has won 26 straight matches including a perfect 24-0 record this season.

His next tournament will be at the Serbian Open in Belgrade starting on April 25.


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8 Comments for Novak Djokovic: I Decided to Skip Monte Carlo Becuase of Knee Troubles, Fatigue [Video]

Nina Says:

Nole keeps himself down-to-earth as usual, his new way of approaching success makes me think that he’s in it for the long run. I knew his ‘injury’ was nothing to worry about, just a smart decision given the amount of play he has got going back to last season, he hardly had an off-season like the other guys plus he’s been winning all tournaments playing more than anyone. Intelligent of him to take a rest, it won’t affect his ranking much and he will be fresher to face off rafa on clay…

April 11th, 2011 at 10:48 am


eric Says:

His fans and lazy journalists blindly repeat “no injury” “nothing to worry about” “he’s just tired” “smart decision”…

Let me spell it to you: Djokovic has developped patellar tendinitis, his first real injury ever. It has been building up for years and now it is fully blown for four months. The thing is becoming chronic.

How is that not serious?!

April 11th, 2011 at 11:39 am


Jack Lewis Says:

>> How is that not serious?!
Well if you can do as well as he did in recent years when the problem was “building up” and then beat the number 1 and 2-3 players in the world consistently when the ailment is “full blown” it’s not clear to me that it’s that bad.

April 11th, 2011 at 11:47 am


dari Says:

What do you mean “fully blown for four months”, Eric?
I mean we will see what’s up with the knee sooner or later, but the guy does not look like someone with a serious knee injury! No signs of serious knee trouble in that grueling Miami final and he’s trotting his way around Monaco with a huge smile on his face. I’m not saying that the knee isn’t a little sensitive- he could injure it in the future, but that’s why he is taking the time off now, to give it a little rest.

April 11th, 2011 at 11:52 am


jane Says:

I am taking a middle road with regards to the knee. I think there is clearly something up. To say it is “no injury” isn’t realistic because he’s had it taped since AO. And he’s played a lot. And there was a picture posted here during IW with a big block of ice on that knee, I think after the Gasquet match. How serious it is I don’t know, because he played well on it, and moved exceptionally well too. And also in this interview he mentions the knee but also fatigue. So it’s tough to know. It’s worrisome, and I am glad he has taken the time to get better and maybe find his form on clay in practice a little bit before jumping right into this event. It’s a good decision in all senses to skip this event as far as I can tell. Eric, not sure where you got your info but it’s scary. Are you trying to scare Nole fans. ;) Just kidding, but I do take your point that we shouldn’t just write it off as “nothing.” It’s something. What remains to be seen is how serious it is.

April 11th, 2011 at 12:26 pm


Nina Says:

Eric… and you know this how? Are you personally in touch with Nole and possess relevant info that the rest of the world don’t? Come on.

He’s said it himself more than once: it’s for prevention. It’s not an injury, otherwise he’d be out for months. He wouldn’t have been able to play in Miami like he did and outlast Nadal in 3 hours!

The knee may trouble him a little, but every player has something. I don’t think it is defining. But i guess we will see soon.

April 11th, 2011 at 1:19 pm


sar Says:

Doesn’t Rafa have patellar tendinitis? And Tsonga?

April 11th, 2011 at 1:35 pm


eric Says:

“Doesn’t Rafa have patellar tendinitis? And Tsonga?”

Yes. And Simon, and Monfils, and Gonzalez…

The telltale sign are those tight white cloth bandages under the knee that Novak wore OFF COURT during Indian Wells AND during his trip to Bogota for the exhibition match.

Check the photo gallery on his site.

How he manages it from now on is crucial for his future.

April 11th, 2011 at 1:44 pm

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