Nikola Pilic shares his thoughts on Djokovic’s post-knee surgery success.

© Getty Images Sport – Julian Finney

1973 French Open finalist Nikola Pilic thinks it is absolute nonsense to think that Novak Djokovic faked a knee injury and adds that it was evident that one of the Serb’s left was “softer than the other.”

After having a couple of unpleasant slips on the clay of Roland Garros during his French Open round-of-16 match against Francisco Cerundolo, Djokovic later learned that he tore his knee meniscus. The moment the 37-year-old Serb received the diagnosis, he pulled out of his French Open quarterfinal and had surgery to repair the damage.

25 days later, Djokovic made his return at Wimbledon and reached the final before Carlos Alcaraz ousted him in three sets. Djokovic then made a quick transition to clay courts and returned to Roland Garros, where he won his first Olympic gold medal after beating Alcaraz in the Paris Olympics final.

But while some were in awe of what Djokovic was able to achieve just weeks after his surgery, some weren’t that impressed and started throwing certain conspiracy theories and questioning if the Serb’s claims were truthful.

However, 84-year-old Pilic – who coached Djokovic in his childhood – has no doubt about what really happened.

“Yes. He definitely had problems at Roland Garros. For example, I could see that one leg was softer than the other. Fortunately, he had all the doctors he trusts around him in Paris. He then had this operation and his knee got much better. He is certainly a little slower than normal, but without this small operation he would not have been able to continue. Novak worked on this leg from morning to night to get fit again. That’s why I’m very happy that he won the gold medal,” Pilic told Tennis Magazin.Nikola Pilic© Getty Images/Hulton archive – Harry Shepherd

Pilic on if he was surprised by Djokovic’s win

At Wimbledon, Djokovic clearly wasn’t playing his absolute best tennis but it was still enough for him to make the final. But when the time came for him to take on Alcaraz, the Serb couldn’t beat the Spaniard without his best level and it resulted in him getting dismantled in three sets.

Considering that Alcaraz was coming off back-to-back Slam titles and Djokovic was struggling throughout the entire year and easily lost the Wimbledon, some thought the Serb would have no chance if another meeting with the Spaniard happened at the Paris Olympics. And it happened – but the outcome wasn’t as many expected – as Djokovic won 7-6 (3) 7-6 (2).

Asked if he was surprised, Pilic said no really.

“No, I was interviewed by some Serbian media before the final and I was one of the few who said that Novak had a good chance of winning gold. Provided he found his rhythm and played in sixth gear. Nobody said that beforehand. Most media said that it would be a mere formality for Alcaraz. Also because Novak played very badly in the Wimbledon final, while Alcaraz played very well and that’s why he won clearly with 6:2, 6:2 and 7:6. I know Novak better than anyone else. I believed that he had a good chance. His attitude was outstanding because he knew it was his last chance,” Pilic explained.

Pilic on how he views Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner compared to Djokovic

After Sinner beat Djokovic en route to becoming a Grand Slam champion at this year’s Australian Open and then also replaced the Serb as the top-ranked player in the world, some started claiming that the Italian and Alcaraz were officially the ones to beat now. Addressing that, Pilic acknowledged the quality of the two young superstars but also underlined that Djokovic is a record 24-time Grand Slam champion and that his resume speaks for itself.

“Carlos is a very mature talent, the most mature of his generation. I also have a lot of sympathy for Jannik Sinner, but for me Carlos is simply the greater talent. He is very active and plays incredible tennis. But Novak, the old master, is simply still a different calibre. I don’t want to be subjective here, but he has been named World Sportsman of the Year five times,” Pilic noted.

“That is not my subjective opinion, that was decided by independent committees. That speaks for itself and is something very special. Sinner, Alcaraz and others will certainly take over the new generation in one or two years. Novak will be 39 by then, and not everything will be the same as when he was 29.”

Meanwhile, Djokovic decided to skip the Masters events in Montreal and Cincinnati after his Olympic win. As it stands now, he will directly go to the US Open without any preparation.