.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN pair of hours after his disastrous reduction in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was actually presently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually just been beat by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th significant title postponed. But it was clear he was actually making an effort to move on as rapidly as he can when he talked with press reporters at his press conference later on that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Games and US Open are actually both large goals for the remainder of the year for me definitely," Djokovic pointed out. "I'm wishing I could be at my finest [for] those pair of tournaments. That's all I can state today." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response should barely come as a shock considering his basically unmatched job and also he is actually the standing up for champion at the US Open. Yet he possesses never ever pretty had the very same results at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games along with merely one award-- a singles bronze in 2008. Therefore now, two weeks after his unsatisfying surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what might be his ultimate Gamings, along with his eyes bented on the something that has actually shunned him throughout his historical occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened dip into Roland Garros on Sunday with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will next off play familiar opponent Rafael Nadal in the second round in chances of obtaining one step closer to his desire." [It's therefore exclusive to become] aspect of the earliest sports occasion in the past history of sport," Djokovic told the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Certainly winning a gold award or succeeding any sort of medal for my country is a wonderful dream and also want. It is one of [my] biggest concerns as well as targets for [this] period, there is actually no secret about that." THERE is actually MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic hasn't attained in tennis.Since switching expert in 2003, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the absolute most through any player in the Open time), and is a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time United States Open champion as well as three-time French Open champion. He is matched along with Margaret Courtroom for the very most significant single people labels in the sport's past, and he has the best in the Open era.Djokovic has actually succeeded 98 job songs labels (and also one in multiplies) as well as has actually held the planet No. 1 ranking for a consolidated 428 weeks-- one more record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its own initial as well as only Davis Mug headline in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later on called "the very best emotion I ever before invited my lifestyle as a ping pong player." However while he's constantly mentioned the amount of it means to him to be capable to represent his nation as well as just how much he delights in the experience of the Olympic Gamings, he's merely certainly never had the ability to equate his traditional authority to sport's biggest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his sole 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 format-- a noticeable variation than the best-of-five-sets utilized by males in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled by means of the draw up until Nadal, the resulting gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award complement, Djokovic exceeded James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had actually gained his very first major name previously that season in Melbourne, could not conceal his pleasure after the complement." [I am actually] quite satisfied. I indicate, to succeed any sort of medal in the Olympics is actually a big achievement for any athlete I presume," Djokovic stated. "Not many of the professional athletes acquire an opportunity to win an award. However, for me, this bronze, which I gained listed here, radiates like a gold because I assume I've played decent ping pong all event." Djokovic likewise participated in increases along with Nenad Zimonjic, however both shed in the initial round.In 2012, Djokovic, then a five-time Bang champ, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening event. He explained it as "an out-of-body knowledge" as well as a "massive pleasure and obligation and also honor." The competition was actually held at Wimbledon, where he had succeeded the title the year just before, however Djokovic lost to eventual gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets. Djokovic dropped once more in the preliminary of multiplies, this time around with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually specifically discouraging, because he had succeeded all 3 major headlines held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later the difficult court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the top seed (and currently a 12-time primary champ) yet he was stunned through Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and also Zimonjic lost in the second around of doubles.But no reduction stung harder than in 2021. Competing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Video games, Djokovic showed up after gaining all 3 of the year's Slams. He got on a mission to sign up with merely Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis gamers in record to obtain the "Golden Slam"-- all four significant headlines as well as an Olympic songs gold in the very same season.But in the semifinals-- however once again-- Djokovic had his desires beat through possible gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually simply taken the initial set 6-1 yet then succeeded simply 4 video games in the last pair of sets. Traits got even much worse in the bronze medal fit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to control his emotions, as well as abused his racket on various events. He lost the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then took out coming from the combined doubles bronze-medal suit (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin eventually that very same time, citing a nigh side shoulder accident. He had participated in 7 complements in 4 times across attracts and also it appeared it had actually all reached him." I played under medicines, amazing discomfort and also exhaustion," Djokovic said.He never ever was able to receive his time completely back on the right track and lost in the final of the United States Open full weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, preventing his modified objective of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was also [an] emotionally very demanding time period for me in the final five, 6 months," Djokovic pointed out after the reduction. "Slams and also Olympics ... Whatever was integrating for me here as well as type of building up all the feelings that I have actually been by means of. Regrettably I didn't create it in the final action." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a radically different placement than he remained in 3 years ago. Certainly not merely has he yet to win a Slam this period, but he's yet to win a title of any type of kind. It's his worst beginning to a time given that 2006. While he claimed he has no plannings to retire, he understands opportunity is ending. He will definitely be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competition, might additionally show daunting. He wounded his leg during the course of the French Open in June and was forced to withdraw before his quarterfinal suit. He undertook surgical operation for a torn median lens in his ideal leg on June 5, initially leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the last earlier this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany guessed he would certainly skip the grass-court tournament to pay attention to his rehab, and proceed training on clay-based in advance of the Olympics. However Djokovic came to the All of England Nightclub a week before the principal draw began. After numerous productive and also pain-free practices, he participated in and also was impressive throughout his operate, presenting few indications of discomfort or interfered with movement." If someone told me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon final 3, 4 full weeks earlier, I will take it for certain," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have actually had to promptly adjust to the red clay-based after devoting the past month on turf. The surfaces couldn't be much more different-- the clay is actually significantly slower than the lawn-- as well as the means players move on the courtroom is too. It will be actually difficult for also those without any bodily afflictions or even accidents. Perhaps in part as a result of this, Djokovic will only be actually playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed worn out as well as a little dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was not deterred." Allow's view how physically and also mentally I'm visiting really feel. Ideally I may locate the correct tennis due to the fact that I'm heading to need all I have and also even more to head to the last of the Olympic Games.".