.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN pair of hrs after his devastating loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was already laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually simply been actually beat by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his desires for a record-breaking 25th major name postponed. However it was actually crystal clear he was actually attempting to move on as promptly as he might when he spoke with media reporters at his press conference later on that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Gamings as well as US Open are the 2 large targets for the remainder of the year for me really," Djokovic said. "I'm wishing I can be at my absolute best [for] those two competitions. That is actually all I may mention at this moment." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer need to barely happen as a surprise considering his practically unmatched profession and that he is actually the defending champ at the US Open. However he has never ever pretty had the exact same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games with just one award-- a single people bronze in 2008. Thus right now, 2 weeks after his unsatisfying appearance at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what might be his final Games, along with his eyes set on the a single thing that has actually avoided him throughout his historical job: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up dip into Roland Garros on Saturday with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Matthew Ebden. He will definitely next participate in knowledgeable opponent Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in hopes of acquiring one step better to his dream." [It is actually therefore exclusive to be] part of the oldest sports occasion in the past of sporting activity," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Obviously winning a gold award or even succeeding any award for my country is a fantastic desire as well as yearning. It is among [my] ultimate concerns and also targets for [this] time, there is no secret about that." THERE is actually BIT ELSE Djokovic hasn't attained in tennis.Since switching specialist in 2003, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open 10 opportunities (one of the most by any sort of gamer outdoors era), and is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time US Open champion and also three-time French Open champ. He is tied along with Margaret Courtroom for the very most primary single people headlines in the sport's history, and he possesses the best in the Open era.Djokovic has succeeded 98 job single people titles (as well as one in increases) as well as has stored the globe No. 1 ranking for a combined 428 weeks-- another record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its first as well as merely Davis Mug title in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later on called "the most effective emotion I ever before invited my life as a tennis player." Yet while he's constantly discussed just how much it means to him to be able to exemplify his nation and also the amount of he takes pleasure in the experience of the Olympic Games, he's merely never ever managed to equate his typical authority to sport's most significant stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his solitary Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer and Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a noticeable distinction than the best-of-five-sets made use of through guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled via the draw until Nadal, the resulting 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 actually won his 1st major name previously that period in Melbourne, could not conceal his enthusiasm after the suit." [I am actually] quite happy. I mean, to succeed any kind of award in the Olympics is a significant success for any sort of athlete I believe," Djokovic claimed. "Very few of the sportsmens obtain a possibility to succeed a medal. However, for me, this bronze, which I won right here, shines like a gold because I assume I have actually participated in decent tennis all competition." Djokovic also participated in increases together with Nenad Zimonjic, however the pair dropped in the initial round.In 2012, Djokovic, then a five-time Slam champ, was called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. He explained it as "an out-of-body knowledge" and also a "large delight and task and respect." The competition was secured at Wimbledon, where he had actually won the headline the year just before, but 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 shed again in the preliminary of increases, this moment with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was particularly irritating, given that he had gained all 3 major titles held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years in the future the challenging court of law in Rio, Djokovic was actually the front runner (and also now a 12-time significant champion) however he was actually stunned through Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and also Zimonjic shed in the second around of doubles.But no loss stung harder than in 2021. Competing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic came in after gaining all 3 of the year's Slams. He performed a journey to join only Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis gamers in background to obtain the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 major headlines and an Olympic singles gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- however once again-- Djokovic had his goals slammed by ultimate gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had conveniently taken the very first set 6-1 however at that point succeeded only 4 activities in the ultimate 2 collections. Traits got even worse in the bronze award match against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to control his emotional states, and abused his racket on a number of affairs. He dropped the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and after that removed coming from the blended increases bronze-medal suit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later on that exact same time, mentioning a left side shoulder injury. He had actually played seven fits in four days throughout draws as well as it seemed it had actually all caught up to him." I played under medicines, unbelievable ache as well as fatigue," Djokovic said.He certainly never had the ability to get his period completely back on track and also shed in the final of the US Open weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, foiling his modified target of the schedule Conquest." [It] was actually likewise [an] emotionally extremely requiring time frame for me in the last five, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the reduction. "Bangs and Olympics ... Everything was integrating for me here and kind of collecting all the emotional states that I've been through. Regrettably I failed to create it in the last measure." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a radically different setting than he was in three years earlier. Certainly not merely has he yet to succeed a Bang this period, but he is actually as yet to gain a title of any sort of kind. It's his worst start to a period since 2006. While he stated he possesses no programs to retire, he knows opportunity is running out. He will definitely be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And returning to Roland Garros, the website of the French Open and the Olympic competition, could additionally verify challenging. He harmed his leg during the course of the French Open in June as well as was actually pushed to take out in front of his quarterfinal match. He undertook surgical operation for a torn medial curve in his best leg on June 5, originally leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic shed to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final previously this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany supposed he would certainly leave out the grass-court competition to focus on his rehabilitation, and also carry on instruction on clay before the Olympics. But Djokovic reached the All of England Club a full week prior to the major draw began. After a number of effective and pain-free practices, he played and went over throughout his operate, showing few signs of pain or hindered motion." If someone told me I will participate in [in the] Wimbledon final three, four weeks ago, I would certainly take it for sure," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have actually needed to rapidly adjust to the reddish clay after devoting the past month on yard. The areas couldn't be much more different-- the clay is considerably slower than the turf-- as well as the way gamers carry on the courthouse is actually too. It will definitely be difficult for also those without bodily disorders or even personal injuries. Maybe in part due to this, Djokovic will only be actually playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed exhausted and a little dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was not deterred." Allow's observe exactly how literally and also mentally I am actually going to experience. With any luck I may locate the correct tennis considering that I am actually mosting likely to need all I have as well as additional to visit the ultimate of the Olympic Video games.".