Serb and Volley

 

According to people on the scene, Novak Djokovic was in fine form as he defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-4 in their exhibition match earlier today: "Every part of his game looked good. He's ready for Wimbledon."

Another person wrote: “Excellent serving by Djokovic, who was super aggressive on court. Movement still cautious, which is understandable.”

While this seems hard to believe, a doctor friend did tell me that not all meniscus tears are the same, so perhaps this won't be the career-ending injury I feared it would be. 

Whatever the case, he's got nothing to prove -- he's certainly not the favorite he usually is -- but it would be nice if he could go out on his own terms. 

I will say this, though: He's got a rather nice draw. Or is it just that nobody's particularly good besides him, Sinner and Alcaraz? 

UPDATE: From the horse's mouth:

Novak: 

I can tell you that I enjoyed myself really much today. I can tell you that pain-free tennis is the best tennis.

Interviewer: “Were you pain-free?”

Novak: 

I was pain-free…it was a great test. The test was really successful!

Interviewer: “Why did you want to speed up your return?”  

Novak: 

“It's a good question, my wife asked me too. I'm 37 years old, maybe you want to take less risks and prepare for the Olympic Games. I have the feeling of not missing a Grand Slam as long as I can play, as long as I'm active and at this level. I wouldn't call it a fear of missing out, just an incredible desire to play, to compete. Especially because it's Wimbledon, the tournament that has always been a dream for me. The simple idea of missing Wimbledon was not right, I didn't want to deal with it. I'm going through this knee injury for the first time in my life. I wanted to see how quickly I could recover and be in a position to compete in best of five on grass against the best in the world. I haven't come here to play a few rounds. I want to go for the title. The last three days have made me optimistic that I can really compete at the highest level. Maybe it's not ideal for doctors and specialists, who advise you to rest for 3 or 6 weeks, the longer the better so as not to risk it, but it's an individual thing. It's very subjective. Everyone has a different response to recovery, the rehabilitation, the exercises... I have not had any relapse. My intensity is very high now. The knee is fine, there has been no negative reaction."