.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN 2 hours after his disastrous reduction in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was currently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had only been beat through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th primary title held off. Yet it was clear he was actually attempting to carry on as promptly as he might when he contacted press reporters at his press conference eventually that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Games as well as US Open are actually both large objectives for the rest of the year for me definitely," Djokovic claimed. "I'm hoping I may be at my finest [for] those pair of competitions. That is actually all I may claim now." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution should barely come as a shock considering his essentially exceptional profession and also he is actually the defending champ at the United States Open. However he possesses never fairly possessed the same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Gamings with only one medal-- a songs bronze in 2008. So today, 2 full weeks after his disappointing finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris of what might be his ultimate Video games, with his eyes bented on the a single thing that has actually outruned him throughout his famous occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Sunday with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Matthew Ebden. He is going to next off play knowledgeable adversary Rafael Nadal in the 2nd shot in hopes of obtaining one action closer to his goal." [It's therefore special to become] component of the earliest sports occasion in the background of sporting activity," Djokovic said to the International Tennis Federation in May. "Obviously gaining a gold medal or succeeding any type of medal for my country is an excellent wish and also wish. It is one of [my] greatest priorities and targets for [this] time, there is clear concerning that." THERE is actually MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic have not accomplished in tennis.Since switching professional in 2003, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the absolute most through any player outdoors time), and also is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champ and also three-time French Open champ. He is actually matched along with Margaret Court for the very most primary single people labels in the sporting activity's past history, and he has one of the most outdoors era.Djokovic has won 98 career singles labels (as well as one in multiplies) and has actually stored the planet No. 1 rank for a bundled 428 full weeks-- another track record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its own 1st and simply Davis Mug title in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later phoned "the very best sensation I ever before invited my lifestyle as a ping pong player." Yet while he's regularly mentioned how much it indicates to him to become capable to represent his nation and also how much he takes pleasure in the take in of the Olympic Video games, he's merely never had the capacity to translate his traditional domination to sport's greatest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his sole Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a noticeable difference than the best-of-five-sets made use of by men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled through the draw until Nadal, the possible gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal complement, Djokovic topped James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had gained his very first major title earlier that period in Melbourne, couldn't hide his pleasure after the complement." [I am actually] very happy. I indicate, to succeed any kind of award in the Olympics is a massive success for any sportsmen I believe," Djokovic pointed out. "Not many of the sportsmens acquire a possibility to gain an award. However, for me, this bronze, which I won listed here, shines like a gold due to the fact that I believe I've participated in pretty good tennis all competition." Djokovic additionally participated in doubles alongside Nenad Zimonjic, but both lost in the initial round.In 2012, Djokovic, then a five-time Slam champion, was named Serbia's flag-bearer for the position service. He illustrated it as "an out-of-body adventure" and also a "substantial enjoyment as well as obligation and also honor." The competition was secured at Wimbledon, where he had actually won the label the year just before, yet Djokovic lost to resulting gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in direct collections. Djokovic dropped again in the preliminary of doubles, this moment with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was specifically frustrating, since he had gained all three significant headlines held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years eventually the challenging court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the front runner (and also now a 12-time major champion) yet he was actually stunned through Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and Zimonjic shed in the second sphere of doubles.But no loss hurt tougher than in 2021. Competing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic got there after winning all 3 of the year's Slams. He got on a pursuit to sign up with just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis players in history to attain the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 primary titles and also an Olympic singles gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his aspirations dashed by eventual gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had effortlessly taken the very first collection 6-1 but after that succeeded only 4 games in the ultimate two sets. Things got even worse in the bronze medal suit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to regulate his emotional states, and abused his racket on numerous celebrations. He shed the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then took out coming from the mixed doubles bronze-medal complement (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later that exact same time, citing a left side shoulder injury. He had actually played 7 fits in 4 times throughout pulls as well as it appeared it had all caught up to him." I participated in under medicines, amazing ache and also fatigue," Djokovic said.He certainly never had the ability to acquire his season fully back on the right track and also shed in the final of the US Open full weeks later on to Daniil Medvedev, combating his adjusted objective of the calendar Conquest." [It] was also [an] psychologically quite requiring duration for me in the final 5, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the loss. "Bangs and Olympics ... Every little thing was coming together for me here and sort of accumulating all the emotions that I've been with. However I really did not create it in the final action." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a substantially different position than he was in 3 years back. Certainly not simply has he as yet to gain a Slam this season, yet he is actually as yet to gain a headline of any kind. It's his worst start to a season given that 2006. While he stated he possesses no programs to resign, he understands opportunity is ending. He will definitely be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And returning to Roland Garros, the site of the French Open and the Olympic competitors, could additionally verify challenging. He wounded his knee in the course of the French Open in June and also was actually pushed to take out ahead of his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgical procedure for a torn median lens in his correct knee on June 5, in the beginning leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the last previously this month, and also in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany supposed he will skip the grass-court event to concentrate on his treatment, and also continue instruction on clay in front of the Olympics. However Djokovic got to the All England Nightclub a full week before the principal draw started. After several successful as well as pain-free practices, he played as well as went over throughout his operate, revealing few indicators of soreness or obstructed movement." If an individual told me I would participate in [in the] Wimbledon ultimate 3, four full weeks ago, I will take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have needed to rapidly alter to the red clay-based after investing the past month on turf. The surfaces could not be actually even more different-- the clay-based is actually dramatically slower than the yard-- and the way gamers proceed the court is actually also. It is going to be actually complicated for also those with no physical ailments or even accidents. Perhaps in part as a result of this, Djokovic will only be actually playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed exhausted as well as slightly dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was actually not hindered." Let's observe just how physically as well as emotionally I am actually going to really feel. Hopefully I can locate the ideal tennis given that I am actually mosting likely to require all I have and more to head to the last of the Olympic Gamings.".