.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN pair of hours after his disastrous loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was actually actually laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had only been actually defeated through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his aspirations for a record-breaking 25th primary name delayed. However it was actually very clear he was actually trying to move on as swiftly as he might when he spoke with reporters at his news conference eventually that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Video Games as well as United States Open are the two large targets for the remainder of the year for me definitely," Djokovic mentioned. "I am actually hoping I could be at my absolute best [for] those 2 tournaments. That is actually all I may point out right now." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response must barely happen as a surprise considering his basically unequaled job and that he's the defending champion at the US Open. But he possesses never ever fairly had the same results at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Games along with merely one award-- a songs bronze in 2008. So today, pair of weeks after his disappointing finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what could be his last Video games, along with his eyes bented on the something that has actually avoided him throughout his famous profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened play at Roland Garros on Sunday along with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will next participate in knowledgeable opponent Rafael Nadal in the 2nd shot in chances of receiving one action more detailed to his goal." [It is actually therefore unique to become] aspect of the oldest sporting activities event in the background of sport," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Of course winning a gold award or even succeeding any type of medal for my country is a wonderful dream and wish. It is among [my] ultimate concerns and targets for [this] time, there is actually clear regarding that." THERE is actually MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic hasn't accomplished in tennis.Since transforming specialist in 2003, Djokovic has actually succeeded the Australian Open 10 opportunities (one of the most through any kind of player in the Open age), as well as is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champion and three-time French Open champion. He is actually tied with Margaret Courtroom for the very most major single people titles in the sport's record, and also he has the most in the Open era.Djokovic has actually won 98 profession songs titles (and one in doubles) and has held the world No. 1 ranking for a bundled 428 weeks-- yet another track record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its own first as well as simply Davis Cup label in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later on called "the most ideal feeling I ever before had in my lifestyle as a tennis gamer." But while he's always discussed just how much it implies to him to become capable to represent his country and also how much he enjoys the experience of the Olympic Games, he's just never had the capacity to convert his common supremacy to sport's biggest stage.Djokovic won 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 and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a significant difference than the best-of-five-sets utilized through guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun via the draw till Nadal, the ultimate 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, that had gained his first primary name previously that period in Melbourne, couldn't hide his exhilaration after the match." [I am actually] incredibly pleased. I imply, to win any award in the Olympics is a big accomplishment for any kind of professional athlete I believe," Djokovic claimed. "Very few of the athletes receive a possibility to succeed an award. But also for me, this bronze, which I succeeded right here, shines like a gold considering that I presume I have actually participated in fair tennis all event." Djokovic likewise participated in doubles together with Nenad Zimonjic, yet both lost in the first round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champion, was called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening service. He defined it as "an out-of-body experience" and a "big enjoyment as well as responsibility and honor." The competitors was held at Wimbledon, where he had succeeded the title the year just before, but Djokovic shed to ultimate gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in direct sets. Djokovic lost once again in the first round of multiplies, this moment with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was particularly discouraging, because he had gained all three primary labels held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the challenging court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the top seed (as well as right now a 12-time significant champ) yet he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and Zimonjic lost in the second around of doubles.But no loss hurt more difficult than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic got here after succeeding all 3 of the year's Slams. He got on a pursuit to sign up with just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in history to accomplish the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 primary labels and an Olympic songs gold in the very same season.But in the semifinals-- yet once more-- Djokovic had his dreams slammed through eventual gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had easily taken the very first collection 6-1 however then succeeded merely 4 video games in the final pair of collections. Traits evened the score worse in the bronze award suit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic had a hard time to regulate his emotions, and also misused his racket on numerous occasions. He lost the complement 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then withdrew from the mixed multiplies bronze-medal match (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later on that very same time, pointing out a remaining shoulder injury. He had actually played seven matches in 4 times all over attracts and it seemed it had all reached him." I played under medicines, extraordinary discomfort and exhaustion," Djokovic said.He certainly never had the capacity to obtain his period entirely back on course and also lost in the ultimate of the United States Open weeks later on to Daniil Medvedev, foiling his adjusted target of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was actually also [an] emotionally extremely demanding time frame for me in the last 5, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the reduction. "Bangs as well as Olympics ... Every thing was actually integrating for me right here as well as kind of collecting all the emotional states that I've been through. However I really did not create it in the ultimate step." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a substantially various placement than he remained in 3 years ago. Certainly not simply has he yet to succeed a Slam this period, yet he is actually yet to succeed a headline of any type of kind. It's his worst beginning to a period because 2006. While he stated he has no plans to retire, he understands opportunity is going out. He will certainly be 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 additionally verify difficult. He harmed his knee during the course of the French Open in June and also was actually forced to withdraw ahead of his quarterfinal match. He went through surgery for a torn medial meniscus in his right knee on June 5, at first leaving his status for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final earlier this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany guessed he would certainly neglect the grass-court competition to focus on his rehab, and also proceed training on clay in advance of the Olympics. Yet Djokovic came to the All of England Nightclub a week prior to the primary draw began. After many prosperous and pain-free methods, he played and also went over throughout his run, presenting handful of indications of pain or interfered with activity." If a person informed me I would participate in [in the] Wimbledon last 3, four full weeks back, I will take it for sure," he said.Djokovic and his peers have must rapidly alter to the red clay after investing the past month on turf. The surfaces could not be much more various-- the clay is considerably slower than the turf-- as well as the way gamers go on the courthouse is actually too. It will certainly be actually challenging for even those with no physical conditions or even accidents. Possibly partly because of this, Djokovic is going to merely be actually playing in single people at these Games.But while Djokovic appeared weary and a little dejected after the Wimbledon ultimate, he was not discouraged." Allow's find just how actually and also mentally I'm visiting really feel. Perhaps I may discover the appropriate ping pong because I am actually going to need all I have and additional to head to the last of the Olympic Games.".