Djokovic to Play Wimbledon but Only if He Feels He Can Challenge for the Title 

24 June 2024, United Kingdom, London: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon ahead of the Wimbledon Championships, which begins on July 1st. (dpa)
24 June 2024, United Kingdom, London: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon ahead of the Wimbledon Championships, which begins on July 1st. (dpa)
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Djokovic to Play Wimbledon but Only if He Feels He Can Challenge for the Title 

24 June 2024, United Kingdom, London: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon ahead of the Wimbledon Championships, which begins on July 1st. (dpa)
24 June 2024, United Kingdom, London: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon ahead of the Wimbledon Championships, which begins on July 1st. (dpa)

Novak Djokovic is encouraged by his progress after undergoing minor knee surgery less than three weeks ago, but the seven-times Wimbledon champion said he will only play in the grasscourt Grand Slam next month if he is able to fight for the title.

The 37-year-old picked up the injury to his right knee during his fourth-round win at the French Open and pulled out of the quarter-finals before having surgery on June 6, putting his Wimbledon and Olympic hopes in jeopardy.

But the Serb, whose Paris Games spot was confirmed earlier this month, posted videos of his return to training on Instagram last week before arriving at the All England Club on Sunday and immediately ramping up his preparations.

"I didn't come here to play a few rounds," Djokovic told the BBC after practice on Monday. "If I know I can play close to my maximum or at maximum, then I'll play. If not, then I'll give somebody else a chance to play.

"Rehab is going in the right direction every single day, a few percent better and better. That's what's giving me hope and encouragement to keep going.

"I'm taking things gradually. I'm not pushing myself yet 100% but I'm hoping that's going to come in the next few days."

The world number two is looking to end his title drought in 2024 after winning three of the four Grand Slams last year, as he hunts for a record-extending 25th major trophy.

His only defeat in the Grand Slams in 2023 came at Wimbledon where he was beaten in five sets by Carlos Alcaraz in the title decider.

Wimbledon runs from July 1-14.



Matter of Time until Mbappe Breaks Real Goal Drought, Says Ancelotti

Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 2nd leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain, in San Sebastian, Spain, 05 March 2024. (EPA)
Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 2nd leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain, in San Sebastian, Spain, 05 March 2024. (EPA)
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Matter of Time until Mbappe Breaks Real Goal Drought, Says Ancelotti

Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 2nd leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain, in San Sebastian, Spain, 05 March 2024. (EPA)
Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 2nd leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain, in San Sebastian, Spain, 05 March 2024. (EPA)

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has not found the back of the net for more than a month but manager Carlo Ancelotti believes it is only a matter of time before the French forward breaks his drought.

Mbappe has scored only one goal in his last seven games and has gone over 400 minutes without netting for Real Madrid in all competitions as he continues to struggle playing as a center forward, Reuters reported.

The 25-year-old was also not called up for France during the international break despite being the team captain but Ancelotti said Mbappe was in good spirits in training sessions ahead of Sunday's LaLiga trip to Leganes.

"It happens to all great strikers, he can get frustrated but that's not his case. I see him motivated and happy to train with his teammates," Ancelotti told reporters on Saturday.

"Sooner or later he will break that streak of games in which he hasn't scored goals. Tomorrow he will have a great game because it is just a matter of time.

"He has incredible quality and sooner or later he will show it."

Mbappe's position has been debated since his dream move to the Santiago Bernabeu, with many wondering if he should play on the left but Ancelotti has been reluctant to switch Vinicius Jr, their top scorer who plays in the same position.

"I don't think Kylian has ever asked me for a position on the pitch, everyone wants to start in the starting 11," Ancelotti said.

"But Mbappe and Vinicius don't have a fixed position on the pitch. It all depends on the match."

Ancelotti also said he did not need to give Mbappe any specific instructions in training but the Italian has been working with defenders Raul Asencio and Ferland Mendy as he deals with an injury crisis at the back.

Although David Alaba is on the mend from an anterior cruciate ligament tear, Real have lost Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao to similar injuries.

"We have focused on defence, with Raul Asencio, Mendy, trying out right backs," Ancelotti said.

With the opportunity to sign reinforcements in the mid-season transfer window, Ancelotti said Real would consider their options after playing Sevilla next month in their last match of 2024.