"Surprised that Novak Djokovic is here" - Carlos Alcaraz in awe of Serb's 'super human' recovery to make Wimbledon draw after knee surgery

Carlos Alcaraz has been left awestruck by Novak Djokovic's quick recovery ahead of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, just days after he was seen on crutches following his knee surgery. The Spaniard, as a result, maintained that Djokovic should be considered as one of the favorites for the title at SW19 this fortnight, even if he is not in the fittest state he has ever been.

Djokovic injured his knee during the French Open earlier this month, tearing his meniscus muscle. The World No. 2 withdrew from the tournament and opted to have surgery immediately in the hopes of a quick recovery.

Although many wondered if he would be able to achieve that, Novak Djokovic has made it to Wimbledon now, and remains on the draw for now. In his opener, the second seed is set to face off against Vit Kopriva. Alcaraz, the third seed, is on the opposite half of the draw, and will open his campaign at the Grass Major against Mark Lajal.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the tournament at his press conference, Alcaraz admitted that he was both surprised and not surprised to see that Novak Djokovic had recovered on time. The former World No. 1 revealed that he went as far as telling Djokovic himself that what he continues to do at the age of 37 was 'super human,' recovering from a serious injury in a matter of few weeks.

"I will always put him on the list of favourites. I was surprised on one hand that he is here, but on the other hand not, because we all know how he takes care of himself, his diet, his rest."

"I told him the other day that what he does is super human. In two and a half weeks he is already playing sets at a very high level. He has already shown that he recovers very quickly," Carlos Alcaraz said.

Meanwhile, the World No. 2 spoke about his own chances at Wimbledon earlier this week, stating that he will only play in the tournament if he thought he had a shot at the title. Djokovic hoped to push his body to the limit in the coming days before the start of his campaign, and then decide whether he was ready to compete at the highest level.

"I didn't come here to get through a few rounds. I'm going to play if I'm sure. I'm going to take it day by day, based on how I am, how I feel and if I can play my best. If I can't play, I'll hit someone else that opportunity," Djokovic said.

"I'm only going to play if I'm in a position to go far and fight for the title. I'm not pushing myself to the limit, but I hope that happens in the next few days. I wouldn't be here without the permission of the doctors," he added.

Carlos Alcaraz looking to defend his Wimbledon title this year

Previews: The Championships - Wimbledon 2024

As for his own chances at Wimbledon this year, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz admitted that it was 'more special' for him and that he was hoping to repeat the success he had in 2023.

"I always say that this Wimbledon is more special because I'm defending my title and I hope it's a repeat. It was last year, when I won at Queen's, that I realised I could play well on grass," Alcaraz said in the press conference.

Last year, Carlos ALcaraz took down Djokovic in the final in a marathon five-setter to win his second Grand Slam title. The Spaniard comes into the tournament following a second-round exit at the Queen's Club Championships, where he fell to Jack Draper.