.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his dreadful reduction in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was actually presently 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 dreams for a record-breaking 25th primary title held off. Yet it was crystal clear he was actually trying to go on as swiftly as he could when he spoke to press reporters at his news conference later that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Games and US Open are actually both huge targets for the rest of the year for me actually," Djokovic mentioned. "I'm hoping I may be at my best [for] those two events. That's all I may point out at this moment." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution need to hardly come as an unpleasant surprise considering his essentially unmatched occupation and that he's the defending champ at the United States Open. Yet he has never very had the same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Video games with merely one medal-- a single people bronze in 2008. Therefore now, pair of full weeks after his frustrating finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris for what could be his final Video games, along with his eyes set on the something that has actually avoided him throughout his historic profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up dip into Roland Garros on Sunday with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will certainly next play familiar opponent Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in hopes of obtaining one action nearer to his desire." [It's so unique to become] component of the oldest sporting activities celebration in the past of sporting activity," Djokovic informed the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Certainly gaining a gold award or even gaining any sort of medal for my country is actually a wonderful dream as well as dream. It is just one of [my] ultimate concerns and targets for [this] time, there is clear regarding that." THERE is actually MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic hasn't obtained in tennis.Since turning professional in 2003, Djokovic has actually gained the Australian Open 10 times (the absolute most by any type of player 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 along with Margaret Courtroom for the very most major songs headlines in the sporting activity's background, and he has the absolute most outdoors era.Djokovic has actually won 98 occupation single people titles (as well as one in doubles) and also has actually kept the world No. 1 position for a mixed 428 weeks-- yet another record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own first as well as simply Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later on contacted "the most effective sensation I ever before invited my lifestyle as a ping pong player." However while he's constantly discussed how much it implies to him to become able to exemplify his country and also the amount of he takes pleasure in the experience of the Olympic Games, he is actually simply never ever been able to equate his traditional dominance to sporting activity's largest stage.Djokovic succeeded the bronze in 2008-- his lone Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets style-- a marked difference than the best-of-five-sets made use of through men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun through the draw until Nadal, the eventual gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award complement, Djokovic topped James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had gained his first significant title earlier that period in Melbourne, could not conceal his excitement after the fit." [I'm] extremely satisfied. I imply, to succeed any kind of medal in the Olympics is a huge accomplishment for any type of athlete I think," Djokovic stated. "Not many of the athletes acquire a chance to win a medal. However, for me, this bronze, which I gained right here, radiates like a gold considering that I think I have actually played respectable ping pong all event." Djokovic also participated in multiplies together with Nenad Zimonjic, but both shed in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Slam champion, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the position ceremony. He illustrated it as "an out-of-body experience" and also a "significant delight as well as duty as well as respect." The competition was actually held at Wimbledon, where he had won the headline the year just before, however Djokovic lost to eventual gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in straight collections. Djokovic lost once again in the preliminary of multiplies, this moment with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was especially frustrating, given that he had gained all three significant titles held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later the hard court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the top seed (and also right now a 12-time major champion) however he was stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and also Zimonjic dropped in the 2nd sphere of doubles.But no loss hurt more challenging than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic arrived after gaining all three of the year's Bangs. He was on a journey to participate in just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong players in past to accomplish the "Golden Slam"-- all four major headlines as well as an Olympic songs gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his dreams dashed through ultimate gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually effortlessly taken the initial collection 6-1 however then gained merely 4 games in the ultimate 2 collections. Points evened the score much worse in the bronze award fit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic strained to handle his emotions, and misused his racket on a number of occasions. He dropped the complement 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then removed from the combined doubles bronze-medal complement (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later that exact same time, pointing out a left side shoulder trauma. He had participated in 7 suits in 4 times throughout draws and it appeared it had actually all caught up to him." I participated in under medicines, incredible ache and tiredness," Djokovic said.He certainly never had the capacity to obtain his time entirely back on the right track and shed in the last of the United States Open weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, preventing his adjusted goal of the calendar Conquest." [It] was additionally [an] mentally extremely asking for time period for me in the final five, six months," Djokovic said after the reduction. "Bangs and Olympics ... Whatever was coming together for me listed here as well as type of gathering all the emotions that I have actually been actually via. Regrettably I didn't make it in the last measure." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a radically various setting than he remained in 3 years back. Not only possesses he as yet to gain a Slam this period, but he's as yet to succeed a title of any sort of kind. It's his worst begin to a season considering that 2006. While he stated he has no plans to retire, he recognizes opportunity is going out. He will certainly be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And coming back to Roland Garros, the web site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competition, could possibly likewise show difficult. He harmed his knee throughout the French Open in June as well as was actually pushed to withdraw in front of his quarterfinal match. He went through surgical operation for a torn median lens in his best leg on June 5, at first leaving his status for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic dropped to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the ultimate earlier this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany speculated he would certainly skip the grass-court tournament to concentrate on his treatment, and proceed training on clay-based in advance of the Olympics. However Djokovic arrived at the All of England Nightclub a full week prior to the main draw began. After many successful as well as pain-free techniques, he played and went over throughout his run, presenting handful of indicators of distress or obstructed motion." If someone informed me I would play [in the] Wimbledon final 3, four full weeks ago, I will take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic and his peers have needed to swiftly readjust to the reddish clay after investing the past month on grass. The surface areas could not be actually extra different-- the clay is significantly slower than the turf-- as well as the method gamers proceed the court is actually too. It is going to be actually tricky for even those with no bodily disorders or accidents. Possibly partly as a result of this, Djokovic will merely be playing in songs at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed tired as well as somewhat dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was not deterred." Let's see just how physically and mentally I'm going to experience. Ideally I can easily discover the right ping pong due to the fact that I'm heading to need all I possess and also more to head to the last of the Olympic Games.".