.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN pair of hours after his dreadful loss in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was currently 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 major title delayed. But it was very clear he was actually making an effort to carry on as quickly as he could possibly when he contacted media reporters at his news conference eventually that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Video Games as well as United States Open are both major objectives for the rest of the year for me definitely," Djokovic said. "I'm hoping I may be at my best [for] those two events. That is actually all I can easily mention today." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response ought to barely happen as a shock considering his practically exceptional job which he's the speaking up for champ at the United States Open. But he has never quite possessed the same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games with simply one medal-- a single people bronze in 2008. So today, pair of full weeks after his unsatisfying surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what could be his ultimate Video games, with his eyes bented on the one thing that has actually eluded him throughout his historical occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened play at Roland Garros on Sunday along with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will definitely next off play familiar enemy Rafael Nadal in the second round in hopes of getting one step nearer to his goal." [It is actually so special to be] component of the earliest sporting activities celebration in the background of sport," Djokovic informed the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Naturally winning a gold medal or even succeeding any sort of medal for my nation is a wonderful want and also longing. It is one of [my] greatest concerns as well as targets for [this] period, there is obvious concerning that." THERE is actually LITTLE ELSE Djokovic have not attained in tennis.Since switching expert in 2003, Djokovic has actually succeeded the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the best by any gamer in the Open period), and also is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champ as well as three-time French Open champion. He is actually tied with Margaret Court for the most major songs titles in the sporting activity's background, and also he has the most outdoors era.Djokovic has succeeded 98 job single people labels (and also one in multiplies) and also has actually kept the world No. 1 rank for a mixed 428 weeks-- an additional history. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own first as well as only Davis Cup label in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later on called "the best sensation I ever before invited my lifestyle as a tennis gamer." However while he's regularly referred to the amount of it indicates to him to be able to exemplify his nation and also the amount of he delights in the experience of the Olympic Games, he's merely never been able to convert his common supremacy to sporting activity's greatest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his solitary Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a significant variation than the best-of-five-sets used through guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun with the draw till Nadal, the possible gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal suit, Djokovic surpassed James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had gained his 1st primary name earlier that period in Melbourne, couldn't hide his pleasure after the complement." [I'm] extremely delighted. I suggest, to gain any sort of medal in the Olympics is actually a big achievement for any sportsmen I think," Djokovic mentioned. "Few of the professional athletes receive an odds to succeed an award. However, for me, this bronze, which I gained here, beams like a gold due to the fact that I assume I have actually participated in respectable tennis all tournament." Djokovic likewise participated in increases alongside Nenad Zimonjic, but the pair shed in the 1st round.In 2012, Djokovic, then a five-time Slam champ, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the position event. He explained it as "an out-of-body experience" and also a "substantial pleasure and also responsibility as well as honor." The competition was secured at Wimbledon, where he had succeeded the label the year prior to, however Djokovic shed to resulting gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets. Djokovic dropped again in the preliminary of increases, this time with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was specifically discouraging, given that he had succeeded all 3 primary labels held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the difficult court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the front runner (and right now a 12-time major champ) but he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and also Zimonjic shed in the second around of doubles.But no loss hurt tougher than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic got here after gaining all 3 of the year's Bangs. He got on a mission to join just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong players in past history to attain the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 primary headlines and an Olympic single people gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- yet once more-- Djokovic had his aspirations beat through eventual gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had conveniently taken the initial collection 6-1 yet at that point gained simply 4 video games in the ultimate 2 collections. Things got back at worse in the bronze medal match against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic had a hard time to control his feelings, as well as abused his racket on multiple affairs. He dropped the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then took out coming from the combined doubles bronze-medal complement (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later on that exact same day, pointing out a nigh side shoulder accident. He had actually participated in seven matches in 4 days throughout draws and it seemed it had actually all reached him." I played under medicines, astonishing pain as well as fatigue," Djokovic said.He certainly never was able to get his time totally back on course and dropped in the ultimate of the United States Open full weeks later on to Daniil Medvedev, combating his altered goal of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was likewise [an] mentally quite requiring time frame for me in the last 5, six months," Djokovic mentioned after the loss. "Slams as well as Olympics ... Whatever was actually integrating for me right here as well as type of accumulating all the emotional states that I have actually been by means of. However I didn't make it in the final action." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a substantially different setting than he remained in three years ago. Certainly not simply possesses he yet to gain a Bang this season, yet he is actually yet to succeed a title of any kind of kind. It's his worst begin to a season due to the fact that 2006. While he stated he has no strategies to retire, he recognizes time is actually running out. He will be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And coming back to Roland Garros, the web site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competitors, can additionally confirm difficult. He harmed his knee throughout the French Open in June and also was pushed to withdraw ahead of his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgical operation for a torn median lens in his appropriate leg on June 5, originally leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the ultimate earlier this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany speculated he would certainly leave out the grass-court tournament to focus on his recovery, and carry on instruction on clay-based in advance of the Olympics. But Djokovic got to the All of England Club a week before the primary draw began. After many productive and pain-free practices, he played and was impressive throughout his run, presenting couple of indicators of pain or even hampered movement." If somebody informed me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon ultimate 3, 4 full weeks ago, I would certainly take it for certain," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have must promptly readjust to the red clay after spending the past month on grass. The surface areas couldn't be extra various-- the clay is significantly slower than the lawn-- and also the way gamers carry on the court is actually also. It will certainly be challenging for also those without any bodily disorders or traumas. Possibly in part due to this, Djokovic will only be actually playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be worn out as well as slightly dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was actually certainly not discouraged." Allow's observe how physically and psychologically I'm mosting likely to feel. Ideally I can easily find the ideal tennis due to the fact that I am actually mosting likely to need to have all I have and additional to go to the last of the Olympic Games.".