.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN 2 hrs after his dreadful reduction in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was presently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had simply been actually defeated through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th significant title delayed. But it was very clear he was attempting to proceed as quickly as he could possibly when he talked to media reporters at his press conference later on that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Video Games and US Open are both big objectives for the remainder of the year for me truly," Djokovic mentioned. "I am actually hoping I could be at my best [for] those 2 competitions. That is actually all I can easily mention at the moment." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer should rarely happen as an unpleasant surprise considering his virtually exceptional job and also he is actually the speaking up for champ at the United States Open. But he possesses certainly never quite possessed the same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Gamings with just one award-- a songs bronze in 2008. So now, two weeks after his frustrating appearance at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris for what may be his ultimate Games, with his eyes set on the a single thing that has actually outruned him throughout his historical occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Saturday along with a persuading 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will certainly next play knowledgeable opponent Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in hopes of receiving one measure deeper to his aspiration." [It is actually so special to become] part of the oldest sporting activities activity in the record of sport," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Federation in May. "Obviously succeeding a gold medal or even winning any sort of medal for my nation is a wonderful want as well as want. It is among [my] best priorities and goals for [this] season, there is actually clear concerning that." THERE'S LITTLE ELSE Djokovic hasn't obtained in tennis.Since switching qualified in 2003, Djokovic has succeeded the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the absolute most through any sort of gamer in the Open period), and is a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time US Open champ and three-time French Open champ. He is matched with Margaret Courtroom for the very most major single people labels in the sporting activity's background, as well as he has one of the most outdoors era.Djokovic has actually won 98 career single people titles (and one in doubles) and also has kept the globe No. 1 rank for a consolidated 428 full weeks-- an additional record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own very first and also merely Davis Cup headline in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he eventually phoned "the most ideal sensation I ever had in my life as a tennis gamer." However while he's always discussed how much it implies to him to become capable to embody his country as well as just how much he takes pleasure in the encounter of the Olympic Video games, he's simply never had the ability to convert his common domination to sport's most significant stage.Djokovic succeeded the bronze in 2008-- his sole Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a marked variation than the best-of-five-sets made use of by men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun via the draw till Nadal, the ultimate gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal complement, Djokovic outdoed James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had won his initial major name previously that period in Melbourne, couldn't hide his excitement after the suit." [I'm] very happy. I imply, to win any award in the Olympics is actually a substantial achievement for any kind of professional athlete I assume," Djokovic mentioned. "Not many of the athletes obtain a chance to win a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I gained listed here, radiates like a gold since I believe I have actually participated in decent ping pong all event." Djokovic likewise played multiplies together with Nenad Zimonjic, but the pair lost in the 1st round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Bang champ, was called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening event. He defined it as "an out-of-body experience" and a "substantial pleasure and also duty and also honor." The competitors was kept at Wimbledon, where he had actually gained the label the year before, yet Djokovic lost to eventual gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct collections. Djokovic dropped once more in the first round of increases, this time along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually especially irritating, since he had actually gained all three significant labels kept that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the hard court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the top seed (and now a 12-time major champion) however he was stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and Zimonjic lost in the 2nd round of doubles.But no loss stung more difficult than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic got here after gaining all three of the year's Slams. He performed a journey to participate in merely Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis gamers in past to achieve the "Golden Bang"-- all 4 major labels and an Olympic singles gold in the very same season.But in the semifinals-- yet once more-- Djokovic had his aspirations slammed by resulting gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had quickly taken the 1st collection 6-1 but then gained merely four video games in the final two sets. Traits got even worse in the bronze award complement versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to manage his emotional states, and abused his racket on a number of affairs. He lost the fit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then took out coming from the blended multiplies bronze-medal fit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later on that exact same day, mentioning a left shoulder accident. He had participated in seven suits in 4 times all over attracts and also it seemed it had all reached him." I participated in under medicines, astonishing discomfort as well as tiredness," Djokovic said.He never ever was able to obtain his time fully back on the right track and also dropped in the ultimate of the US Open full weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, thwarting his adjusted goal of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was actually likewise [an] mentally incredibly demanding period for me in the last five, six months," Djokovic said after the reduction. "Slams and Olympics ... Whatever was actually integrating for me here as well as sort of gathering all the emotions that I've been by means of. Regrettably I really did not make it in the last action." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a drastically different position than he remained in 3 years earlier. Certainly not merely has he as yet to gain a Bang this period, but he is actually yet to gain a label of any sort of kind. It's his worst start to a time considering that 2006. While he said he has no programs to retire, he recognizes opportunity is going out. He is going to be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And coming back to Roland Garros, the site of the French Open and the Olympic competition, could possibly likewise prove tough. He wounded his leg during the French Open in June and also was forced to withdraw in advance of his quarterfinal suit. He underwent surgical procedure for a torn medial curve in his correct leg on June 5, in the beginning leaving his status for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic shed to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the last earlier this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany supposed he would certainly skip the grass-court competition to pay attention to his treatment, and carry on training on clay-based in advance of the Olympics. However Djokovic got to the All England Nightclub a full week just before the principal draw began. After many productive as well as pain-free techniques, he participated in as well as went over throughout his operate, showing handful of indications of discomfort or hindered action." If a person told me I will play [in the] Wimbledon final 3, 4 full weeks ago, I will take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have needed to promptly alter to the red clay after spending the past month on lawn. The surfaces could not be extra different-- the clay is actually substantially slower than the lawn-- as well as the way gamers go on the court is at the same time. It will certainly be actually tricky for also those without any physical conditions or even personal injuries. Possibly partly as a result of this, Djokovic is going to just be playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic appeared weary as well as slightly dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was not hindered." Allow's see how physically as well as mentally I'm mosting likely to really feel. With any luck I can easily discover the appropriate tennis considering that I am actually going to require all I have and also more to head to the last of the Olympic Video games.".