.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN 2 hours after his terrible reduction in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was actually presently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had just been actually beat through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th primary title delayed. Yet it was clear he was attempting to carry on as promptly as he can when he spoke with media reporters at his press conference later that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Games and also US Open are both significant objectives for the remainder of the year for me really," Djokovic stated. "I am actually hoping I may be at my greatest [for] those 2 tournaments. That's all I can state at this moment." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer must hardly happen as a surprise considering his virtually unparalleled job which he's the speaking up for champion at the United States Open. Yet he possesses never fairly possessed the very same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Gamings with just one award-- a singles bronze in 2008. Thus now, 2 weeks after his unsatisfactory surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris for what may be his final Games, with his eyes set on the one thing that has outruned him throughout his historic occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up dip into Roland Garros on Sunday along with an effective 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will certainly next play acquainted foe Rafael Nadal in the second shot in chances of acquiring one action closer to his aspiration." [It's so unique to be] part of the earliest sporting activities occasion in the past of sporting activity," Djokovic told the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Naturally succeeding a gold award or succeeding any award for my country is actually a fantastic wish and also wish. It is just one of [my] greatest top priorities and also goals for [this] period, there is actually no secret about that." THERE is actually BIT ELSE Djokovic hasn't accomplished in tennis.Since switching expert in 2003, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open 10 times (the absolute most by any type of player in the Open time), as well as is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champion and three-time French Open champ. He is matched along with Margaret Courtroom for the most major songs headlines in the sport's record, as well as he has the best outdoors era.Djokovic has actually won 98 job singles labels (and also one in multiplies) and has kept the world No. 1 rank for a mixed 428 weeks-- an additional record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its initial and also just Davis Cup headline in Belgrade in 2010, something that he eventually phoned "the most effective sensation I ever had in my lifestyle as a ping pong gamer." But while he is actually regularly referred to just how much it implies to him to be able to exemplify his country and also how much he takes pleasure in the experience of the Olympic Games, he's merely certainly never managed to translate his regular domination to sport's greatest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his lone Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut 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 style-- a noticeable distinction than the best-of-five-sets used by guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled with the draw till Nadal, the ultimate gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award complement, Djokovic beat James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had actually won his first primary name earlier that time in Melbourne, could not conceal his enthusiasm after the match." [I'm] very happy. I indicate, to gain any medal in the Olympics is a massive success for any kind of professional athlete I assume," Djokovic claimed. "Very few of the athletes receive a possibility to win a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I succeeded below, sparkles like a gold because I presume I've participated in pretty good ping pong all event." Djokovic likewise participated in multiplies alongside Nenad Zimonjic, however the pair dropped in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champ, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the position event. He described it as "an out-of-body adventure" and a "large satisfaction and obligation and also respect." The competition was secured at Wimbledon, where he had gained the label the year before, yet Djokovic dropped to possible gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in straight collections. Djokovic dropped once again in the preliminary of doubles, this moment with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually specifically aggravating, since he had actually gained all 3 primary labels had that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years eventually the challenging court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (as well as currently a 12-time primary champion) yet he was stunned through Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and also Zimonjic shed in the 2nd round of doubles.But no reduction hurt harder than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic showed up after succeeding all three of the year's Bangs. He got on a journey to participate in merely Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in past history to attain the "Golden Slam"-- all four primary titles as well as an Olympic single people gold in the very same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his dreams dashed through possible gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually simply taken the first collection 6-1 however after that succeeded just four activities in the last pair of collections. Points evened the score much worse in the bronze award fit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic strained to manage his emotional states, as well as misused his racket on various celebrations. He lost the complement 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and after that removed from the blended multiplies bronze-medal suit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later that exact same time, presenting a left side shoulder personal injury. He had actually participated in 7 complements in four times around draws and it appeared it had actually all reached him." I participated in under medicines, extraordinary pain and also tiredness," Djokovic said.He never had the capacity to obtain his season entirely back on course as well as lost in the final of the US Open weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, thwarting his modified goal of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was actually additionally [an] psychologically very asking for time frame for me in the final 5, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the reduction. "Bangs and Olympics ... Whatever was actually integrating for me listed below as well as kind of accumulating all the emotions that I have actually been actually by means of. Regrettably I really did not make it in the last measure." DJOKOVIC NOW Goes Back To the Olympics in a substantially different setting than he was in three years ago. Certainly not just has he yet to win a Slam this season, yet he's yet to succeed a headline of any kind. It's his worst start to a time given that 2006. While he stated he possesses no plannings to resign, he recognizes opportunity is running out. He is going to be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the web site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competition, might additionally confirm challenging. He harmed his knee during the French Open in June and also was actually forced to withdraw before his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgical treatment for a torn median meniscus in his ideal knee 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, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany guessed he will pass up the grass-court event to pay attention to his recovery, and also continue instruction on clay-based before the Olympics. But Djokovic got to the All England Club a week prior to the principal draw began. After a number of prosperous and pain-free strategies, he played and also went over throughout his operate, revealing few indications of distress or even hindered activity." If an individual told me I would participate in [in the] Wimbledon last 3, 4 weeks back, I would take it for certain," he said.Djokovic and his peers have had to swiftly adjust to the reddish clay after investing the past month on yard. The surfaces could not be extra various-- the clay-based is dramatically slower than the yard-- as well as the means gamers go on the court is actually too. It will certainly be actually tricky for even those without any physical conditions or even accidents. Possibly in part due to this, Djokovic will just be playing in single people at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be exhausted and slightly dejected after the Wimbledon ultimate, he was actually not hindered." Allow's find exactly how literally as well as mentally I'm heading to really feel. With any luck I can find the right ping pong because I am actually going to require all I possess and more to visit the final of the Olympic Games.".