.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hours after his destructive reduction in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was actually already laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually just been actually defeated through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th significant title delayed. Yet it was actually crystal clear he was making an effort to proceed as promptly as he might when he spoke with press reporters at his news conference later that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Video Games as well as US Open are both huge targets for the remainder of the year for me truly," Djokovic mentioned. "I am actually hoping I may be at my ideal [for] those 2 events. That is actually all I can claim today." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution need to barely happen as a surprise considering his basically unrivaled profession and also he is actually the standing up for champion at the US Open. Yet he possesses never ever fairly possessed the very same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Games along with only one medal-- a single people bronze in 2008. Therefore today, two weeks after his disappointing surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris of what might be his last Gamings, along with his eyes bented on the something that has avoided him throughout his historical occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up dip into Roland Garros on Saturday with a persuading 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He is going to next off play acquainted adversary Rafael Nadal in the second shot in hopes of getting one step nearer to his dream." [It is actually so special to become] part of the oldest sporting activities event in the past history of sport," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Federation in May. "Naturally gaining a gold medal or even winning any award for my country is actually a great want and also longing. It is among [my] biggest top priorities and also objectives for [this] period, there is clear about that." THERE is actually LITTLE ELSE Djokovic have not accomplished in tennis.Since switching expert in 2003, Djokovic has actually won the Australian Open 10 times (the most through any gamer in the Open era), as well as is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time United States Open champion as well as three-time French Open champ. He is matched with Margaret Courtroom for the very most major songs headlines in the sporting activity's past, and he has one of the most outdoors era.Djokovic has actually gained 98 career singles headlines (as well as one in increases) as well as has actually held the globe No. 1 rank for a combined 428 weeks-- an additional history. Djokovic even led Serbia to its very first and also simply Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later on contacted "the best sensation I ever before invited my lifestyle as a ping pong gamer." However while he is actually always spoken about how much it suggests to him to become capable to represent his nation as well as just how much he appreciates the take in of the Olympic Games, he is actually merely never ever managed to equate his typical authority to sport's biggest stage.Djokovic succeeded the bronze in 2008-- his single Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer as well as Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a noticeable distinction than the best-of-five-sets utilized by 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 medal suit, Djokovic bested James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had won his initial primary name earlier that time in Melbourne, could not conceal his exhilaration after the match." [I am actually] very pleased. I indicate, to gain any award in the Olympics is a big accomplishment for any sort of sportsmen I assume," Djokovic stated. "Not many of the sportsmens obtain an odds to win a medal. But also for me, this bronze, which I gained right here, sparkles like a gold since I think I have actually played pretty good ping pong all competition." Djokovic additionally participated in multiplies alongside Nenad Zimonjic, yet both lost in the initial round.In 2012, Djokovic, then a five-time Slam champ, was actually named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening service. He illustrated it as "an out-of-body experience" as well as a "huge enjoyment and also obligation and tribute." The competitors was held at Wimbledon, where he had succeeded the title the year before, yet Djokovic lost to resulting gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct sets. Djokovic shed again in the preliminary of increases, this time with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually particularly frustrating, because he had gained all 3 major headlines held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years in the future the tough court in Rio, Djokovic was the top seed (as well as currently a 12-time primary champion) however he was stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and also Zimonjic lost in the second round of doubles.But no loss stung more challenging than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic got here after succeeding all three of the year's Slams. He performed a pursuit to participate in simply Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in past to accomplish the "Golden Slam"-- all four significant headlines and also an Olympic singles gold in the very same season.But in the semifinals-- however once more-- Djokovic had his desires shattered by eventual gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually effortlessly taken the first set 6-1 yet after that won merely 4 activities in the last 2 collections. Traits got back at much worse in the bronze medal complement versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic had a hard time to manage his feelings, and abused his racket on various celebrations. He shed the suit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and after that removed coming from the combined multiplies bronze-medal fit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start eventually that same day, citing a nigh side shoulder injury. He had played 7 matches in four times around draws and also it seemed it had all caught up to him." I played under medications, incredible discomfort and exhaustion," Djokovic said.He certainly never was able to get his time entirely back on the right track as well as dropped in the ultimate of the US Open weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, foiling his altered goal of the calendar Conquest." [It] was also [an] mentally very demanding time period for me in the last 5, six months," Djokovic stated after the loss. "Bangs as well as Olympics ... Whatever was coming together for me here and also kind of gathering all the emotions that I've been with. Unfortunately I failed to make it in the last measure." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a radically various posture than he resided in three years ago. Not simply possesses he yet to succeed a Bang this season, yet he is actually as yet to win a label of any sort of kind. It's his worst begin to a time considering that 2006. While he claimed he has no programs to resign, he recognizes opportunity is actually running out. He will certainly be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And coming back to Roland Garros, the site of the French Open and also the Olympic competition, can also verify demanding. He harmed his knee during the course of the French Open in June and also was actually pushed to withdraw in advance of his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgical treatment for a torn medial curve in his correct leg on June 5, at first 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 supposed he would certainly neglect the grass-court competition to focus on his treatment, as well as carry on instruction on clay-based before the Olympics. Yet Djokovic came to the All of England Club a week prior to the principal draw started. After a number of productive as well as pain-free methods, he played and also went over throughout his operate, showing few indicators of soreness or interfered with activity." If somebody told me I would certainly play [in the] Wimbledon last 3, four full weeks back, I would take it for certain," he said.Djokovic and his peers have must rapidly alter to the reddish clay after spending recent month on grass. The surfaces could not be actually much more different-- the clay is considerably slower than the turf-- and also the method gamers go on the court is actually too. It will certainly be difficult for even those with no bodily afflictions or even accidents. Perhaps in part due to this, Djokovic will simply be actually playing in single people at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be tired and also slightly dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was not deterred." Allow's view just how actually and also mentally I'm visiting feel. Perhaps I can locate the right tennis considering that I'm visiting require all I have as well as even more to visit the ultimate of the Olympic Gamings.".