Legendary Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn’s Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics dream ended as she suffered a devastating crash during her downhill race on an injured knee. She has recently shared a heartfelt note after her fifth Olympic appearance, which went in a harrowing manner, receiving support from elite personalities, including ATP legend Novak Djokovic’s wife, Jelena.
Novak Djokovic’s Wife Jelena Shares Her Admiration As Lindsey Vonn Reflects on Her Olympics Crash
Vonn had a decorated career in the sport, clinching multiple feats, including three Olympic medals, eight World Championship medals, three junior World Championship medals, and 84 World Cup wins.
She retired in 2019 after sustaining multiple injuries; however, her determination to ski remained undeterred, and she returned to the slopes in November 2024 after undergoing partial knee replacement surgery.
After her return to elite skiing, Vonn still achieved feats, becoming the oldest female skier to reach the podium when she finished second in the Super-G in Sun Valley, Idaho, last season. However, her goal was to return to the Olympics, which she did after winning the downhill race at the FIS World Cup event in St. Moritz on December 12, 2025, at the age of 41, a historic achievement, as at this age most athletes retire.
Her notable feat had attracted Djokovic’s wife Jelena’s admiration, as she had expressed through her comments, “Bravoooooooo,” and in another comment, she added, sharing her awe, “Whaaaaat in the wooooorllllld?!!! You are reinventing the sport!!!🙌🙌🙌❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️so excited for you!!!!.”
Jelena recently shared her reaction, expressing her respect, admiration, and support after Vonn posted an emotional note acknowledging her loss after her brutal crash, shared a health update, and inspired others with her resilience. She had added, “Ah Lindsey…. 🥹 you truly are one of a kind! ♥️♥️ Legend!.”
Through her Instagram post, Vonn reflected, “Yesterday my Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would. It wasn’t a story book ending or a fairy tale it was just life. I dared to dream and had worked so hard to achieve it. Because in Downhill ski racing the difference between a strategic line and a catastrophic injury can be as small as 5 inches.”
She continued, “I have no regrets. Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget. Knowing I stood there having a chance to win was a victory in and of itself. I hope if you take away anything from my journey it’s that you all have the courage to dare greatly. Life is too short not to take chances on yourself. I believe in you, just as you believed in me. ❤️LV”
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A week before her Olympic run, Vonn had suffered a rupture in her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), had a bone bruise, and had meniscal tears. Despite these limitations, Vonn competed at the Olympics, which ended with her crashing at the Olimpia delle Tofane course.