.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his dreadful loss in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was currently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually merely been actually beat through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his aspirations for a record-breaking 25th major name held off. Yet it was crystal clear he was trying to carry on as swiftly as he can when he talked with press reporters at his press conference later on that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Games as well as US Open are actually the 2 huge objectives for the remainder of the year for me actually," Djokovic stated. "I'm wishing I could be at my greatest [for] those pair of tournaments. That is actually all I can easily state at this moment." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution need to hardly happen as a shock considering his virtually unparalleled profession and that he is actually the defending champion at the US Open. But he possesses never very possessed the very same results at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games along with simply one medal-- a single people bronze in 2008. Therefore right now, two full weeks after his unsatisfactory surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what might be his last Video games, along with his eyes bented on the the main thing that has shunned him throughout his famous occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Sunday with an effective 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will definitely next off play knowledgeable enemy Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in chances of obtaining one measure closer to his desire." [It's thus exclusive to become] aspect of the earliest sporting activities event in the background of sporting activity," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Naturally succeeding a gold award or succeeding any kind of award for my nation is a great dream and also wish. It is one of [my] greatest priorities and also targets for [this] time, there is actually obvious regarding that." THERE is actually MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic have not accomplished in tennis.Since transforming expert in 2003, Djokovic has won the Australian Open 10 times (the best through any sort of gamer outdoors era), and also is a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time United States Open champion as well as three-time French Open champ. He is actually matched with Margaret Courtroom for the most significant singles labels in the sport's past history, and also he possesses the absolute most outdoors era.Djokovic has won 98 job singles labels (and also one in increases) as well as has actually held the world No. 1 ranking for a bundled 428 full weeks-- one more history. Djokovic even led Serbia to its own 1st and also simply Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later contacted "the most ideal feeling I ever invited my lifestyle as a ping pong gamer." Yet while he is actually regularly mentioned just how much it implies to him to be capable to embody his country and also how much he takes pleasure in the encounter of the Olympic Games, he's merely never managed to equate his normal domination to sporting activity's greatest stage.Djokovic succeeded the bronze in 2008-- his solitary Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a noticeable distinction than the best-of-five-sets utilized through men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled via the draw until Nadal, the ultimate gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award fit, Djokovic topped James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had gained his first primary title earlier that season in Melbourne, couldn't conceal his pleasure after the complement." [I'm] really pleased. I suggest, to succeed any type of medal in the Olympics is a significant success for any sort of sportsmen I think," Djokovic mentioned. "Few of the athletes get an opportunity to gain a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I gained right here, radiates like a gold since I assume I have actually participated in respectable tennis all tournament." Djokovic likewise participated in multiplies along with Nenad Zimonjic, but both dropped in the first round.In 2012, Djokovic, then a five-time Bang champ, was named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening event. He defined it as "an out-of-body experience" and a "large satisfaction as well as responsibility as well as honor." The competition was actually secured at Wimbledon, where he had won the headline the year prior to, however Djokovic dropped to ultimate gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in direct sets. Djokovic lost once more in the first round of multiplies, this moment along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually especially discouraging, considering that he had won all three significant headlines had that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years eventually the tough court in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (and right now a 12-time significant champion) but he was actually stunned through Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and Zimonjic shed in the second around of doubles.But no reduction hurt harder than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic arrived after winning all 3 of the year's Slams. He got on a quest to participate in only Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis players in record to achieve the "Golden Bang"-- all four major labels and also an Olympic singles gold in the very same season.But in the semifinals-- yet once again-- Djokovic had his desires shattered through eventual gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually simply taken the very first set 6-1 yet then succeeded merely four activities in the ultimate two collections. Points got back at much worse in the bronze award fit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to control his emotions, and also misused his racket on several affairs. He dropped the fit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then took out from the blended multiplies bronze-medal match (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later that exact same day, presenting a left shoulder injury. He had actually participated in 7 fits in four days around attracts as well as it seemed it had actually all reached him." I participated in under medicines, astonishing pain and also fatigue," Djokovic said.He never had the capacity to get his period totally back on track and also lost in the ultimate of the US Open weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, foiling his altered target of the schedule Grand Slam." [It] was actually additionally [an] mentally very demanding time frame for me in the final 5, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the reduction. "Bangs as well as Olympics ... Every little thing was actually collaborating for me below as well as sort of collecting all the emotions that I've been with. However I didn't create it in the ultimate step." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a radically various posture than he resided in 3 years ago. Certainly not only possesses he yet to win a Slam this period, however he is actually yet to win a headline of any type of kind. It's his worst start to a season due to the fact that 2006. While he claimed he possesses no plannings to retire, he understands time is actually ending. He will definitely be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And returning to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open and the Olympic competitors, could possibly also verify difficult. He hurt his knee throughout the French Open in June as well as was forced to take out in front of his quarterfinal match. He undertook surgical procedure for a torn median meniscus in his appropriate knee on June 5, in the beginning leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic dropped to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the ultimate earlier this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany hypothesized he will leave out the grass-court tournament to concentrate on his treatment, as well as continue instruction on clay-based before the Olympics. Yet Djokovic got to the All of England Nightclub a week just before the main draw began. After numerous prosperous and also pain-free practices, he participated in as well as was impressive throughout his run, showing handful of indicators of soreness or hampered activity." If a person told me I would certainly play [in the] Wimbledon last three, four weeks ago, I would certainly take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have must quickly adjust to the reddish clay after investing the past month on grass. The surface areas could not be actually a lot more different-- the clay is dramatically slower than the yard-- and also the method players go on the courthouse is actually also. It will certainly be difficult for also those without any physical conditions or even injuries. Probably in part as a result of this, Djokovic will simply be playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic appeared tired and also slightly dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was not prevented." Permit's find how literally and psychologically I am actually heading to feel. Perhaps I can locate the ideal tennis due to the fact that I'm going to require all I have and also additional to go to the last of the Olympic Video games.".