.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hours after his destructive loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was currently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually simply been beat through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th primary name postponed. Yet it was very clear he was making an effort to carry on as rapidly as he can when he contacted reporters at his news conference later on that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Games as well as United States Open are actually the 2 big objectives for the rest of the year for me definitely," Djokovic said. "I'm hoping I may be at my finest [for] those two competitions. That's all I may claim today." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response must hardly come as an unpleasant surprise considering his practically unequaled occupation which he is actually the speaking up for champ at the United States Open. Yet he possesses never quite possessed the exact same results at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games with only one medal-- a songs bronze in 2008. Thus now, pair of weeks after his disappointing surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris wherefore may be his ultimate Games, along with his eyes bented on the something that has actually avoided him throughout his historic career: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Saturday with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He will next participate in familiar adversary Rafael Nadal in the second round in chances of receiving one step better to his desire." [It is actually thus unique to be] aspect of the earliest sports activity in the past history of sporting activity," Djokovic said to the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Of course winning a gold award or even gaining any type of award for my nation is a wonderful dream and want. It is among [my] ultimate priorities and also targets for [this] season, there is actually clear regarding that." THERE is actually LITTLE ELSE Djokovic hasn't accomplished in tennis.Since turning specialist in 2003, Djokovic has won the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the best through any sort of player outdoors time), and also is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champion and three-time French Open champ. He is matched along with Margaret Courthouse for the very most primary songs labels in the sport's past, and also he possesses the best in the Open era.Djokovic has succeeded 98 job single people titles (as well as one in multiplies) as well as has kept the planet No. 1 rank for a combined 428 full weeks-- one more track record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its 1st and also simply Davis Cup headline in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later on called "the most effective sensation I ever had in my lifestyle as a ping pong gamer." However while he is actually regularly spoken about how much it means to him to be capable to exemplify his country and also the amount of he enjoys the encounter of the Olympic Gamings, he's just never ever been able to translate his regular prominence to sporting activity's biggest stage.Djokovic succeeded the bronze in 2008-- his lone Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer as well as Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a noticeable variation than the best-of-five-sets utilized through guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun via the draw till Nadal, the ultimate gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award suit, Djokovic bested James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had won his initial major name previously that period in Melbourne, couldn't conceal his pleasure after the complement." [I'm] very satisfied. I imply, to win any type of award in the Olympics is a substantial success for any sportsmen I assume," Djokovic claimed. "Not many of the sportsmens get an opportunity to win a medal. However, for me, this bronze, which I succeeded listed below, beams like a gold because I think I have actually participated in fair tennis all competition." Djokovic additionally participated in multiplies along with Nenad Zimonjic, however the pair lost in the 1st round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Bang champion, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the position ceremony. He illustrated it as "an out-of-body experience" and a "massive pleasure and responsibility and also tribute." The competition was actually held at Wimbledon, where he had actually succeeded the title the year prior to, however Djokovic dropped to eventual gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets. Djokovic lost once again in the first round of increases, this time with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was particularly discouraging, because he had gained all 3 major labels held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years in the future the tough court in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (and right now a 12-time major champion) however he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and also Zimonjic lost in the 2nd round of doubles.But no loss stung more challenging than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic got there after winning all three of the year's Slams. He was on a pursuit to participate in merely Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong players in past to attain the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 primary labels and also an Olympic singles gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- yet once more-- Djokovic had his desires dashed through resulting gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually conveniently taken the first set 6-1 however then gained merely 4 activities in the ultimate 2 collections. Things got even worse in the bronze award suit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to manage his emotions, and abused his racket on multiple affairs. He lost the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then withdrew coming from the mixed doubles bronze-medal fit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later that same day, pointing out a nigh side shoulder trauma. He had actually played 7 matches in four times around draws and it appeared it had actually all reached him." I participated in under medicines, extraordinary discomfort as well as fatigue," Djokovic said.He never ever was able to get his season totally back on the right track and lost in the final of the United States Open full weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, preventing his fine-tuned objective of the schedule Grand Slam." [It] was actually likewise [an] psychologically extremely demanding period for me in the final 5, 6 months," Djokovic stated after the reduction. "Slams and Olympics ... Every little thing was collaborating for me listed here and also type of accumulating all the emotions that I've been actually via. However I didn't create it in the final measure." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a significantly different position than he remained in 3 years back. Certainly not merely has he as yet to win a Slam this period, yet he's yet to succeed a label of any kind. It's his worst begin to a season due to the fact that 2006. While he claimed he has no plannings to retire, he knows opportunity is going out. He will certainly be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the website of the French Open and also the Olympic competition, could likewise verify tough. He hurt his knee throughout the French Open in June and also was actually pushed to take out in advance of his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgical treatment for a torn medial crescent in his right leg on June 5, initially leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic shed to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the last earlier this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany guessed he would certainly neglect the grass-court event to concentrate on his recovery, and also proceed instruction on clay ahead of the Olympics. Yet Djokovic reached the All of England Nightclub a week prior to the main draw started. After numerous successful and pain-free techniques, he participated in and also was impressive throughout his run, showing few indications of discomfort or even hindered movement." If somebody informed me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon ultimate 3, four weeks back, I will take it for sure," he said.Djokovic and his peers have must promptly adjust to the reddish clay after investing the past month on lawn. The surfaces could not be extra different-- the clay is significantly slower than the yard-- and also the way players go on the court is actually also. It will certainly be actually difficult for also those without bodily disorders or even traumas. Maybe partly because of this, Djokovic will just be actually playing in single people at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be tired and also somewhat dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was actually certainly not discouraged." Permit's observe how actually and also psychologically I'm mosting likely to experience. Perhaps I can find the appropriate tennis considering that I'm heading to require all I have and more to go to the last of the Olympic Games.".