Jean-Georges Cellier compared Novak Djokovic to other elite athletes he has worked with.
The man behind Novak Djokovic’s miraculous recovery hails the Serb for his mental fortitude

Novak Djokovic and Jean-Georges Cellier (Via Imago/X)

Novak Djokovic‘s physiotherapist, Jean-Georges Cellier, had high praise for the World No. 2 as he said he has never seen anyone with as strong a mind as Djokovic’s. The 66-year-old veteran French physio also played tennis on the ITF Masters circuit and was ranked as high as 1523.

Cellier played a key role in ensuring Djokovic‘s participation in this year’s Wimbledon following his knee surgery in France. He helped Djokovic with the postoperative rehabilitation process and got one of the fittest players on tour back into his best shape. Cellier shared his feelings about his time with Djokovic and admitted that he has not seen anyone as tenacious as the Serb before.

I have worked with a lot of great champions, but a man with so much will, I didn't know that existed. With Novak (Djokovic), I entered another dimension. He has within him a unique power and inner strength.

Jean-Georges Cellier said via L’Equipe

Cellier has been an established physio for a long time and in his extended career, has worked with many professional soccer players and other high-performance athletes. This adds weight to his statement about Djokovic being the most unique athlete he has worked with, highlighting what Djokovic has forged himself into to become a champion.

Novak Djokovic to take on Lorenzo Musetti for a chance to reach the Wimbledon final

After his miraculous recovery, nobody expected the seven-time Wimbledon champion to even make it past the first week of the Championships. However, Djokovic has proven haters wrong by dominating his opponents, none of whom were inside the top ten, to reach the semifinal once again. Amidst controversies, he was to face World No. 9 Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinal but the Australian withdrew at the last moment owing to an injury he had sustained in his previous round.

Lorenzo Musetti and Novak DjokovicNovak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti (via Imago)
This will be Djokovic’s thirteenth appearance in the last four of the tournament and he ties Roger Federer for the record. En route to the final, the Serb wouldn’t have faced any player inside the top 10 as he locks horns with 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti on Friday (July 12th). World No.15 Holger Rune has been the best-ranked player he has faced to reach this stage.

Musetti, too, is yet to play anyone in the top 10, as there were multiple upsets in his quarter of the draw. His toughest challenge was in the quarterfinal against Taylor Fritz, who had taken out World No. 4 Alexander Zverev in the fourth round.