.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his destructive loss in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was actually actually laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually just been beat through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th significant title postponed. But it was actually crystal clear he was actually making an effort to proceed as rapidly as he could possibly when he spoke with media reporters at his news conference later that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Games and US Open are actually the 2 huge objectives for the rest of the year for me truly," Djokovic claimed. "I am actually wishing I could be at my best [for] those pair of tournaments. That is actually all I can point out at this moment." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution ought to hardly come as an unpleasant surprise considering his practically unequaled job and also he is actually the speaking up for champ at the US Open. Yet he possesses never ever very possessed the very same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Gamings along with only one award-- a singles bronze in 2008. So right now, two weeks after his disappointing finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris of what could be his last Video games, with his eyes bented on the a single thing that has shunned him throughout his historical profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened dip into Roland Garros on Sunday along with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will definitely next off participate in familiar opponent Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in chances of getting one action nearer to his aspiration." [It's so special to be] component of the oldest sporting activities celebration in the history of sport," Djokovic informed the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Certainly winning a gold medal or succeeding any award for my country is a terrific desire and longing. It is just one of [my] best priorities and also targets for [this] season, there is no secret about that." THERE'S BIT ELSE Djokovic have not achieved in tennis.Since transforming professional in 2003, Djokovic has actually won the Australian Open 10 times (the absolute most through any sort of player outdoors period), as well as is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time United States Open champion and also three-time French Open champion. He is actually tied with Margaret Court for the very most significant singles titles in the sport's history, and he has the absolute most in the Open era.Djokovic has gained 98 profession songs titles (and also one in multiplies) as well as has kept the world No. 1 rank for a combined 428 full weeks-- an additional track record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its very first as well as only Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later called "the greatest emotion I ever had in my life as a ping pong gamer." But while he's constantly discussed the amount of it means to him to become able to embody his nation and also just how much he takes pleasure in the take in of the Olympic Video games, he's simply never ever managed to convert his traditional authority to sport's largest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his only Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer as well as Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a marked variation than the best-of-five-sets made use of by males in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun with the draw until Nadal, the ultimate gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award fit, Djokovic bested James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had gained his initial significant name previously that period in Melbourne, could not conceal his enjoyment after the fit." [I'm] very pleased. I mean, to gain any award in the Olympics is actually a significant achievement for any type of sportsmen I believe," Djokovic said. "Not many of the sportsmens get a chance to gain a medal. But also for me, this bronze, which I won listed here, beams like a gold due to the fact that I assume I've participated in fair ping pong all tournament." Djokovic also played increases alongside Nenad Zimonjic, however both dropped in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Bang champion, was called Serbia's flag-bearer for the position service. He described it as "an out-of-body adventure" as well as a "significant pleasure as well as task as well as respect." The competitors was kept at Wimbledon, where he had gained the label the year prior to, yet Djokovic shed to possible gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct sets. Djokovic lost again in the first round of increases, this time along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was specifically aggravating, since he had actually won all 3 significant headlines held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the challenging court in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (and currently a 12-time significant champion) but he was actually stunned through Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and also Zimonjic lost in the second around of doubles.But no loss hurt tougher than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic showed up after winning all three of the year's Slams. He performed a journey to participate in just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in history to attain the "Golden Slam"-- all four major titles and also an Olympic single people gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however once more-- Djokovic had his desires slammed by ultimate gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually conveniently taken the first set 6-1 however then won merely four activities in the final two sets. Points got back at much worse in the bronze medal suit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to regulate his feelings, as well as misused his racket on multiple affairs. He lost the complement 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then took out from the combined multiplies bronze-medal fit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin eventually that same time, pointing out a remaining shoulder trauma. He had actually played seven fits in four times throughout pulls and also it seemed it had all reached him." I played under medications, astounding discomfort and exhaustion," Djokovic said.He never ever had the ability to get his season fully back on course and shed in the final of the United States Open full weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, combating his fine-tuned target of the schedule Grand Slam." [It] was actually additionally [an] mentally very demanding time period for me in the last 5, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the reduction. "Bangs and also Olympics ... Everything was converging for me below and also sort of gathering all the emotions that I have actually been by means of. However I really did not make it in the ultimate action." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a radically various position than he was in three years ago. Not merely has he yet to succeed a Slam this time, but he's yet to win a headline of any type of kind. It's his worst beginning to a time given that 2006. While he claimed he possesses no plannings to resign, he knows time is running out. He will definitely be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And coming back to Roland Garros, the website of the French Open and the Olympic competition, might also verify tough. He injured his knee throughout the French Open in June and was actually pushed to remove before his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgery for a torn medial curve in his ideal leg on June 5, initially leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic dropped to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the ultimate earlier this month, and also in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany supposed he would certainly leave out the grass-court tournament to concentrate on his rehab, and carry on instruction on clay-based before the Olympics. However Djokovic reached the All England Club a week before the principal draw started. After many effective as well as pain-free techniques, he participated in and also was impressive throughout his run, showing couple of signs of discomfort or hampered activity." If an individual informed me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon final three, four full weeks ago, I would take it for certain," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have actually must rapidly alter to the red clay-based after devoting the past month on grass. The surfaces couldn't be actually more various-- the clay-based is actually significantly slower than the turf-- as well as the way players carry on the court is actually also. It will be difficult for even those without any physical disorders or injuries. Maybe in part due to this, Djokovic is going to just be playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic appeared tired as well as a little dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was not hindered." Let's see exactly how literally and also mentally I am actually mosting likely to really feel. Hopefully I can find the appropriate tennis due to the fact that I am actually visiting need all I possess and also even more to go to the final of the Olympic Gamings.".