.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN pair of hrs after his damaging loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was actually actually laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually only been beat through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th significant title postponed. However it was clear he was trying to move on as promptly as he could possibly when he spoke with media reporters at his press conference eventually that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Games as well as US Open are actually the 2 big targets for the rest of the year for me truly," Djokovic pointed out. "I am actually hoping I may be at my best [for] those pair of tournaments. That's all I may point out today." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response should rarely happen as a shock considering his virtually exceptional career and also he is actually the speaking up for champion at the US Open. However he has never ever very had the same results at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games with simply one award-- a singles bronze in 2008. Thus today, two full weeks after his unsatisfactory surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what may be his final Games, with his eyes set on the a single thing that has outruned him throughout his historic career: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened play at Roland Garros on Saturday with a persuading 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will next participate in familiar enemy Rafael Nadal in the second shot in hopes of receiving one measure closer to his goal." [It is actually thus unique to be] aspect of the earliest sporting activities activity in the history of sporting activity," Djokovic said to the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Certainly gaining a gold award or even winning any sort of medal for my country is a terrific desire as well as desire. It is one of [my] ultimate priorities as well as targets for [this] season, there is no secret concerning that." THERE'S LITTLE ELSE Djokovic hasn't achieved in tennis.Since switching expert in 2003, Djokovic has won the Australian Open 10 times (the best by any gamer outdoors period), and is a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time United States Open champion and also three-time French Open champion. He is tied with Margaret Courtroom for the very most major singles titles in the sporting activity's record, and he possesses the most in the Open era.Djokovic has succeeded 98 job songs headlines (and one in multiplies) and has actually kept the world No. 1 rank for a consolidated 428 weeks-- one more history. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own initial and also merely Davis Cup label in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later on phoned "the most ideal emotion I ever invited my lifestyle as a ping pong player." Yet while he is actually constantly referred to just how much it indicates to him to become able to exemplify his country as well as the amount of he delights in the encounter of the Olympic Video games, he is actually simply certainly never been able to convert his common supremacy to sporting activity's greatest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his solitary Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer and Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets style-- a significant distinction than the best-of-five-sets used through males in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun via the draw till Nadal, the resulting gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award suit, Djokovic topped James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had actually gained his initial primary name previously that period in Melbourne, could not conceal his enjoyment after the suit." [I'm] very pleased. I suggest, to win any award in the Olympics is actually a significant accomplishment for any kind of athlete I assume," Djokovic mentioned. "Not many of the sportsmens receive an opportunity to gain a medal. However, for me, this bronze, which I gained below, sparkles like a gold because I think I've participated in respectable ping pong all competition." Djokovic likewise participated in multiplies along with Nenad Zimonjic, however both dropped in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Slam champ, was named Serbia's flag-bearer for the position event. He defined it as "an out-of-body adventure" and a "substantial pleasure as well as task and also tribute." The competitors was held at Wimbledon, where he had succeeded the headline the year prior to, however Djokovic shed to possible gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets. Djokovic dropped once more in the preliminary of increases, this moment along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was specifically discouraging, since he had won all three significant headlines kept that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later the tough court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the top seed (and currently a 12-time major champion) yet he was stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and also Zimonjic dropped in the second around of doubles.But no loss hurt more difficult than in 2021. Competing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic came in after gaining all 3 of the year's Slams. He performed a mission to join just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in past history to obtain the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 major labels and an Olympic songs gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- however once again-- Djokovic had his goals dashed through ultimate gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually effortlessly taken the first collection 6-1 but at that point won only four games in the final pair of sets. Traits evened the score much worse in the bronze award fit against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic strained to control his emotions, as well as misused his racket on multiple occasions. He dropped the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and afterwards removed from the mixed increases bronze-medal match (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start eventually that very same day, pointing out a remaining shoulder trauma. He had actually played seven matches in four days around draws and also it appeared it had actually all caught up to him." I participated in under medications, extraordinary ache as well as tiredness," Djokovic said.He certainly never had the capacity to acquire his season totally back on course and also dropped in the last of the United States Open full weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, foiling his altered objective of the schedule Conquest." [It] was also [an] mentally really requiring period for me in the last 5, six months," Djokovic mentioned after the reduction. "Bangs and Olympics ... Every little thing was actually coming together for me here as well as kind of building up all the feelings that I've been through. Unfortunately I really did not create it in the final measure." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a radically various position than he remained in three years ago. Not only has he yet to win a Slam this time, yet he is actually as yet to win a label of any sort of kind. It's his worst start to a period given that 2006. While he mentioned he possesses no strategies to resign, he understands time is actually ending. He will be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And coming back to Roland Garros, the web site of the French Open and the Olympic competition, might likewise prove difficult. He hurt his leg during the French Open in June as well as was actually forced to withdraw in front of his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgical operation for a torn median crescent in his best knee on June 5, initially leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the ultimate earlier this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany supposed he will skip the grass-court tournament to focus on his treatment, and also continue training on clay-based in front of the Olympics. However Djokovic reached the All of England Nightclub a week before the major draw started. After numerous prosperous and also pain-free methods, he participated in and went over throughout his run, showing handful of signs of discomfort or hindered action." If somebody told me I will play [in the] Wimbledon last 3, 4 weeks back, I would take it for sure," he said.Djokovic and his peers have needed to swiftly adjust to the red clay after devoting recent month on grass. The surface areas couldn't be extra different-- the clay is actually significantly slower than the yard-- as well as the way gamers move on the court is actually as well. It is going to be actually complicated for even those without any physical ailments or accidents. Probably partially because of this, Djokovic is going to merely be actually playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic appeared exhausted as well as a little dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was actually not deterred." Let's observe exactly how physically and also mentally I am actually going to feel. Hopefully I may find the ideal ping pong because I'm heading to need to have all I possess and also even more to go to the ultimate of the Olympic Gamings.".