.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN 2 hrs after his terrible loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was already laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually just been actually defeated through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th significant title postponed. But it was actually clear he was actually attempting to go on as promptly as he could possibly when he spoke to media reporters at his press conference eventually that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Gamings and United States Open are actually both large goals for the rest of the year for me definitely," Djokovic stated. "I'm hoping I could be at my absolute best [for] those two events. That's all I may state immediately." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer must barely happen as an unpleasant surprise considering his essentially unparalleled job which he is actually the defending champion at the US Open. But he has never very possessed the exact same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Games with merely one medal-- a single people bronze in 2008. Therefore right now, pair of weeks after his unsatisfying finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris for what might be his final Video games, with his eyes set on the a single thing that has actually avoided him throughout his historic career: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up dip into Roland Garros on Saturday with a persuading 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will certainly next off participate in knowledgeable foe Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in chances of getting one action deeper to his desire." [It is actually thus exclusive to become] part of the oldest sporting activities activity in the history of sport," Djokovic told the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Of course succeeding a gold award or even gaining any type of award for my nation is a wonderful wish and dream. It is just one of [my] ultimate concerns and also targets for [this] period, there is actually no secret about that." THERE'S BIT ELSE Djokovic hasn't accomplished in tennis.Since transforming expert in 2003, Djokovic has actually won the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the best through any gamer outdoors period), as well as is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champ and three-time French Open champion. He is actually tied with Margaret Court for the very most primary single people labels in the sport's record, and he possesses one of the most in the Open era.Djokovic has gained 98 occupation songs labels (and also one in multiplies) and also has stored the world No. 1 rank for a bundled 428 weeks-- yet another record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its initial as well as only Davis Mug headline in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later on contacted "the greatest emotion I ever invited my lifestyle as a ping pong player." Yet while he's consistently spoken about the amount of it implies to him to be able to exemplify his nation and the amount of he delights in the take in of the Olympic Gamings, he is actually simply never managed to convert his regular domination to sport's greatest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his sole Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a marked difference than the best-of-five-sets utilized through men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun by means of the draw up until Nadal, the ultimate gold champion, 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, that had actually won his first primary name earlier that period in Melbourne, could not hide his pleasure after the complement." [I am actually] quite satisfied. I suggest, to win any type of award in the Olympics is actually a large accomplishment for any sort of athlete I believe," Djokovic claimed. "Not many of the sportsmens receive a chance to gain a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I won here, sparkles like a gold due to the fact that I think I have actually played respectable tennis all tournament." Djokovic likewise played multiplies alongside Nenad Zimonjic, yet both lost in the first round.In 2012, Djokovic, then a five-time Slam champ, was actually named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. He explained it as "an out-of-body adventure" as well as a "big enjoyment and duty as well as respect." The competition was secured at Wimbledon, where he had gained the title the year prior to, yet Djokovic shed to eventual gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets. Djokovic dropped again in the preliminary of doubles, this time around along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually especially frustrating, due to the fact that he had actually won all 3 significant headlines had that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years eventually the hard court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (and also now a 12-time significant champ) yet he was stunned through Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic as well as Zimonjic dropped in the 2nd round of doubles.But no loss hurt harder than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic showed up after succeeding all three of the year's Slams. He performed a journey to join just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in history to achieve the "Golden Slam"-- all four major headlines and also an Olympic singles gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however once more-- Djokovic had his aspirations beat through resulting gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had simply taken the initial set 6-1 but then gained just four activities in the last two collections. Things evened the score worse in the bronze award match against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic had a hard time to control his feelings, and abused his racket on multiple events. He shed the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and after that withdrew coming from the blended doubles bronze-medal match (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later that same day, pointing out a left side shoulder personal injury. He had played 7 matches in four days throughout attracts and also it seemed it had actually all caught up to him." I participated in under medications, incredible ache and fatigue," Djokovic said.He never ever was able to obtain his season totally back on course as well as lost in the last of the US Open full weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, obstructing his altered target of the calendar Conquest." [It] was actually also [an] psychologically very demanding time frame for me in the final 5, six months," Djokovic claimed after the reduction. "Slams and Olympics ... Every little thing was converging for me listed here and also kind of accumulating all the emotions that I've been actually with. Regrettably I didn't create it in the last action." DJOKOVIC NOW Goes Back To the Olympics in a substantially different placement than he resided in three years ago. Not only has he yet to gain a Bang this season, but he's yet to win a headline of any type of kind. It's his worst start to a period given that 2006. While he said he possesses no strategies to resign, he understands time is going out. He is going to be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And returning to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open and the Olympic competition, could additionally prove tough. He harmed his knee during the French Open in June and also was forced to remove in front of his quarterfinal suit. He underwent surgical procedure for a torn median crescent in his right leg on June 5, in the beginning leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic shed to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the last earlier this month, and also in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany guessed he will leave out the grass-court tournament to focus on his rehab, and proceed instruction on clay-based ahead of the Olympics. But Djokovic came to the All England Nightclub a week before the main draw started. After numerous productive as well as pain-free techniques, he participated in and also went over throughout his operate, revealing few indications of pain or obstructed motion." If a person told me I would certainly play [in the] Wimbledon ultimate 3, four full weeks back, I would certainly take it for sure," he said.Djokovic and his peers have actually must swiftly adjust to the red clay after spending recent month on lawn. The areas could not be actually even more various-- the clay is actually significantly slower than the yard-- and also the means players go on the court is too. It will certainly be actually tricky for even those without physical afflictions or injuries. Probably partly as a result of this, Djokovic will merely be playing in single people at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be exhausted as well as slightly dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was certainly not put off." Allow's see exactly how physically as well as emotionally I am actually going to experience. With any luck I can easily locate the appropriate tennis due to the fact that I'm visiting require all I have and also more to visit the last of the Olympic Gamings.".