Nikola Karabatic is a man of challenge.
However, since Monday morning, he has been in front of one of the greatest challenges of his career.
Injured on Saturday in the league at Ivry with PSG, the best player in the world (2007, 2014, 2016) has known since the exams taken in the morning that he suffers from a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee, which means at least six months off.
If all goes well, we won't see the 36-year-old again before the Tokyo Olympics next summer.
The star of the France team nevertheless remains hopeful of participating and coming back with the maximum of his abilities.
What is your first impression after this news?
NIKOLA KARABATIC.
Disappointment, of course.
I felt in good shape, very good physically after the good preparation with the club.
I'm also sad that I can't help my team anymore in this long and difficult season.
What awaits me is a personal challenge.
What did you think at the time?
I immediately felt something weird… My knee hurt a lot right away, but as I was able to walk afterwards, I thought that deep down it wasn't that bad.
I was pretty proud until now to never have had such a serious injury in my career.
That's it, I no longer have this invincibility!
As we know, long months of inactivity await you ...
The most important thing is first the operation (
Editor's note: next week
).
We will have to choose where, and by whom.
My goal thereafter is to come back as soon as possible, in good shape, and without taking any risks.
I do not project myself further.
It will be done step by step, it will be long.
But it is part of the athlete's life.
You are also going to miss a lot of big events ...
By force of circumstances, there are very big deadlines this season, whether with PSG or the France team.
I repeat, I am sad that I cannot play all these competitions.
These are moments that remain etched in our memories, great adventures.
Suddenly, I will live them by proxy in front of my TV set.
I will vibrate from a distance with my teammates!
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Are you worried about coming back?
No not too much.
This injury is not like the others.
It can happen at any time, and we know how to treat it.
No matter the age, it won't change anything.
What gives me hope is that I know that my lifestyle is very good.
And then there is more serious in life!
