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.



Athletics-Morocco's El Bakkali Retains Steeplechase Title after Shocking Girma Fall

Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - August 07, 2024. Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco celebrates after winning gold. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Purchase Licensing Rights
Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - August 07, 2024. Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco celebrates after winning gold. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Purchase Licensing Rights
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Athletics-Morocco's El Bakkali Retains Steeplechase Title after Shocking Girma Fall

Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - August 07, 2024. Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco celebrates after winning gold. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Purchase Licensing Rights
Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - August 07, 2024. Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco celebrates after winning gold. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Purchase Licensing Rights

Soufiane El Bakkali retained his Olympic men's 3,000 meters steeplechase title to deliver Morocco's first medal of the Games on Wednesday, as Ethiopian world record holder Lamecha Girma was taken to hospital after a horrific fall.

El Bakkali clocked a time of eight minutes 6.05 seconds as American Kenneth Rooks took silver in 8:06.41 and Kenya's Abraham Kibiwot claimed bronze, Reuters reported.

The win was overshadowed by the injury to Girma who tripped over a barrier on the last lap and fell hard to the track, lying motionless as medical staff rushed to attend to him.

His eyes were open and he was wearing a neck brace as staff members carried him off on a stretcher and a medic told Reuters that he was taken to a hospital. French media reported he was conscious and speaking.

"Following his fall in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma received immediate care from the on-site medical teams. Our thoughts are with him and we are sending him our very best wishes for a swift recovery," Paris 2024 said in a statement.

"Paris 2024 is in close contact with the Ethiopian NOC to stay updated on his condition."

The race had all the makings of an epic duel as El Bakkali waited in the middle of the pack before making his move with about 300 metres to go, chasing down Girma who was flying through the field.

Events took a jarring turn, however, when Girma fell, drawing gasps from the crowd.

El Bakkali chased down Rooks over the final bend but the American dug deep to produce a personal best time and claim a surprise silver.

The Moroccan held his arms out wide as he crossed the finish to become the first back-to-back winner of the event since Finland's Volmari Iso-Hollo in 1932 and 1936, while medical staff were still tending to Girma.

The fans at the Stade de France offered a smattering of applause as he was strapped to a stretcher and carried out through a tunnel.

"I actually didn’t know how bad the fall was - I didn’t know who fell until after the race - so I’ll just keep him in my prayers," said Rooks.