.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN 2 hrs after his dreadful reduction in the Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic was actually actually laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually merely been defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his aspirations for a record-breaking 25th primary title held off. However it was actually crystal clear he was actually trying to move on as rapidly as he might when he talked to media reporters at his news conference eventually that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Games and also United States Open are actually both significant objectives for the rest of the year for me definitely," Djokovic pointed out. "I'm wishing I can be at my best [for] those 2 events. That's all I may state right now." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response need to rarely happen as a surprise considering his practically unrivaled career and also he is actually the speaking up for champion at the United States Open. But he has never pretty had the very same results at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Gamings with merely one medal-- a songs bronze in 2008. Thus right now, two full weeks after his unsatisfying appearance at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris of what may be his ultimate Video games, along with his eyes set on the one thing that has actually outruned him throughout his famous job: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Saturday along with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He is going to next play knowledgeable adversary Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in hopes of getting one action better to his desire." [It is actually therefore exclusive to become] aspect of the oldest sports event in the history of sporting activity," Djokovic said to the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Obviously winning a gold medal or succeeding any award for my country is an excellent desire as well as wish. It is among [my] biggest priorities as well as goals for [this] period, there is no secret concerning that." THERE'S BIT ELSE Djokovic hasn't accomplished in tennis.Since switching professional in 2003, Djokovic has actually won the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the most by any sort of player in the Open period), as well as is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champ and also three-time French Open champ. He is matched with Margaret Court for the very most significant songs titles in the sport's past, and he has the best in the Open era.Djokovic has succeeded 98 job songs titles (and one in increases) and also has stored the world No. 1 rank for a consolidated 428 full weeks-- yet another record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its very first and just Davis Mug title in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later on called "the very best feeling I ever before invited my life as a tennis player." Yet while he's regularly referred to just how much it indicates to him to become capable to represent his country and also the amount of he delights in the take in of the Olympic Video games, he's merely certainly never had the capacity to convert his normal authority to sporting activity's greatest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his sole Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a significant distinction than the best-of-five-sets used by guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun through the draw until Nadal, the possible gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award fit, Djokovic topped James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had actually gained his very first primary title previously that season in Melbourne, couldn't hide his enthusiasm after the match." [I'm] very delighted. I imply, to succeed any type of award in the Olympics is a big accomplishment for any kind of athlete I believe," Djokovic said. "Few of the athletes obtain an odds to succeed a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I won here, sparkles like a gold due to the fact that I presume I have actually played decent ping pong all competition." Djokovic additionally played multiplies alongside Nenad Zimonjic, however the pair shed in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champion, was named Serbia's flag-bearer for the position event. He illustrated it as "an out-of-body expertise" and a "substantial satisfaction as well as obligation and respect." The competitors was actually kept at Wimbledon, where he had actually gained the title the year before, yet Djokovic lost to ultimate gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct sets. Djokovic dropped once 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 irritating, given that he had succeeded all three primary titles held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later the challenging court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (as well as currently a 12-time significant champ) yet he was stunned through Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic as well as Zimonjic lost in the 2nd around of doubles.But no loss hurt tougher 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 mission to sign up with only Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis gamers in history to accomplish the "Golden Bang"-- all four primary headlines and also an Olympic single people gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his goals dashed by resulting gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had conveniently taken the 1st collection 6-1 but at that point gained only four video games in the final pair of collections. Traits evened the score worse in the bronze medal suit against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to manage his feelings, as well as abused his racket on several celebrations. He shed the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then took out from the mixed doubles bronze-medal fit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start eventually that exact same time, citing a left side shoulder accident. He had actually participated in seven complements in 4 days all over attracts and it seemed it had actually all reached him." I played under medications, astonishing discomfort and exhaustion," Djokovic said.He never was able to obtain his period fully back on the right track as well as dropped in the ultimate of the United States Open weeks later on to Daniil Medvedev, foiling his fine-tuned goal of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was additionally [an] emotionally really asking for time period for me in the last five, 6 months," Djokovic said after the loss. "Bangs and also Olympics ... Every thing was coming together for me right here as well as kind of gathering all the emotions that I have actually been by means of. Regrettably I didn't make it in the ultimate step." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a drastically different placement than he resided in three years back. Certainly not just has he as yet to win a Slam this season, but he is actually as yet to gain a headline of any sort of kind. It's his worst begin to a period since 2006. While he claimed he has no plannings to retire, he knows opportunity is running out. He will definitely be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open and the Olympic competitors, could possibly likewise prove tough. He injured his leg during the French Open in June and was actually pushed to withdraw in advance of his quarterfinal suit. He went through surgical treatment for a torn medial crescent in his ideal knee on June 5, initially leaving his status for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the ultimate previously this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany hypothesized he would certainly leave out the grass-court tournament to pay attention to his rehabilitation, and carry on instruction on clay-based before the Olympics. But Djokovic arrived at the All of England Nightclub a full week prior to the main draw started. After numerous prosperous and also pain-free techniques, he participated in and went over throughout his operate, showing handful of signs of discomfort or even hampered movement." If somebody informed me I would participate in [in the] Wimbledon last three, 4 full weeks back, I would certainly take it for certain," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have had to rapidly readjust to the reddish clay-based after investing recent month on yard. The surfaces could not be actually even more various-- the clay is actually substantially slower than the turf-- and the technique gamers go on the court is also. It will definitely be tricky for also those without any physical afflictions or even personal injuries. Perhaps in part due to this, Djokovic will just be playing in single people at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed weary and a little dejected after the Wimbledon ultimate, he was not put off." Let's see how actually and mentally I'm heading to experience. Ideally I may find the right ping pong given that I am actually visiting need to have all I possess and additional to visit the final of the Olympic Gamings.".