.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his disastrous reduction in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was currently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had merely been actually defeated through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his desires for a record-breaking 25th primary name delayed. However it was crystal clear he was making an effort to move on as promptly as he might when he spoke with press reporters at his news conference eventually that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Video Games and United States Open are the two large objectives for the rest of the year for me really," Djokovic mentioned. "I'm hoping I can be at my ideal [for] those pair of events. That's all I may state at this moment." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer should barely come as a surprise considering his practically exceptional profession and also he's the speaking up for champ at the United States Open. However he has never ever rather possessed the same success at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Games along with just one medal-- a songs bronze in 2008. So today, two weeks after his frustrating appearance at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris for what may be his ultimate Video games, along with his eyes bented on the the main thing that has actually thwarted him throughout his famous career: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened dip into Roland Garros on Saturday along with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He will definitely next off participate in acquainted opponent Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in chances of receiving one action deeper to his desire." [It is actually therefore unique to become] portion of the oldest sporting activities event in the record of sport," Djokovic said to the International Tennis Federation in May. "Of course succeeding a gold medal or even succeeding any medal for my country is actually a fantastic desire and also longing. It is just one of [my] biggest priorities as well as objectives for [this] season, there is actually no secret about that." THERE'S MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic hasn't obtained in tennis.Since transforming qualified in 2003, Djokovic has actually won the Australian Open 10 times (the best by any gamer outdoors era), and is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champ and also three-time French Open champ. He is actually tied along with Margaret Courtroom for the very most primary songs titles in the sport's past, and also he possesses one of the most in the Open era.Djokovic has actually succeeded 98 profession singles headlines (and one in multiplies) and has kept the globe No. 1 position for a bundled 428 weeks-- an additional history. Djokovic even led Serbia to its first and also only Davis Mug headline in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he eventually got in touch with "the very best sensation I ever had in my life as a tennis player." However while he is actually consistently mentioned how much it suggests to him to be capable to exemplify his country and just how much he enjoys the take in of the Olympic Games, he's simply never ever been able to translate his typical domination to sporting activity's largest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his solitary Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer as well as Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a marked difference than the best-of-five-sets used by guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun by means of the draw till Nadal, the possible gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal fit, Djokovic topped James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had gained his first primary name previously that period in Melbourne, could not conceal his excitement after the suit." [I am actually] very delighted. I imply, to gain any kind of medal in the Olympics is a huge accomplishment for any sort of professional athlete I assume," Djokovic claimed. "Not many of the athletes receive a possibility to succeed a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I gained here, radiates like a gold since I believe I have actually participated in fair tennis all tournament." Djokovic additionally participated in multiplies along with Nenad Zimonjic, however both shed in the 1st round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champ, was actually named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. He described it as "an out-of-body experience" and a "big enjoyment and duty and also respect." The competitors was actually held at Wimbledon, where he had actually succeeded the headline the year prior to, but Djokovic dropped to eventual gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets. Djokovic dropped again in the first round of multiplies, this time along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was specifically annoying, given that he had actually won all three significant headlines held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later the challenging court of law in Rio, Djokovic was actually the front runner (as well as right now a 12-time major champion) however he was actually stunned through Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic as well as Zimonjic lost in the second around of doubles.But no loss hurt more challenging than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic got here after succeeding all 3 of the year's Bangs. He got on a pursuit to sign up with only Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in history to achieve the "Golden Bang"-- all four major titles and also an Olympic songs gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- yet once more-- Djokovic had his desires beat by ultimate gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had easily taken the very first collection 6-1 however at that point gained just four activities in the last 2 collections. Traits got back at worse in the bronze medal complement against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic strained to regulate his feelings, and also abused his racket on various affairs. He lost the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then removed coming from the blended doubles bronze-medal match (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later that very same day, citing a remaining shoulder injury. He had actually played 7 matches in 4 days throughout attracts and also it appeared it had actually all caught up to him." I played under medications, unbelievable ache and also exhaustion," Djokovic said.He never was able to acquire his season totally back on course and also lost in the ultimate of the United States Open full weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, thwarting his adjusted goal of the calendar Conquest." [It] was also [an] mentally quite asking for duration for me in the final 5, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the reduction. "Bangs and also Olympics ... Everything was converging for me listed here as well as kind of building up all the feelings that I've been actually through. Sadly I failed to make it in the last step." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a radically various posture than he resided in three years ago. Not just has he yet to succeed a Bang this period, yet he is actually yet to gain a headline of any kind. It's his worst start to a season since 2006. While he mentioned he possesses no programs to resign, he understands time is actually going out. He will definitely be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And returning to Roland Garros, the website of the French Open and the Olympic competition, might additionally show daunting. He harmed his knee during the French Open in June as well as was forced to take out in front of his quarterfinal match. He undertook surgery for a torn median meniscus in his correct leg on June 5, in the beginning leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the ultimate earlier this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany guessed he would neglect the grass-court competition to pay attention to his rehab, and also proceed training on clay-based in front of the Olympics. Yet Djokovic arrived at the All England Nightclub a full week before the main draw began. After a number of prosperous and also pain-free strategies, he played and also was impressive throughout his run, showing handful of indications of distress or even hampered movement." If a person informed me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon final 3, four full weeks back, I will take it for sure," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have actually had to swiftly alter to the reddish clay-based after investing the past month on turf. The surface areas could not be actually a lot more different-- the clay-based is considerably slower than the lawn-- as well as the method gamers go on the courtroom is actually as well. It will be actually tricky for also those with no physical health problems or even injuries. Possibly partially because of this, Djokovic is going to only be actually playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed exhausted and also somewhat dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was actually certainly not discouraged." Permit's find just how physically and also psychologically I am actually visiting really feel. Ideally I can easily locate the correct tennis because I'm heading to need to have all I have and also more to head to the final of the Olympic Games.".