.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN pair of hours after his disastrous reduction in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was actually actually 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 desires for a record-breaking 25th significant name postponed. However it was crystal clear he was making an effort to carry on as swiftly as he can when he talked to press reporters at his news conference later that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Gamings as well as United States Open are the 2 significant targets for the remainder of the year for me definitely," Djokovic claimed. "I'm hoping I could be at my best [for] those 2 tournaments. That is actually all I can easily claim immediately." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer must rarely happen as an unpleasant surprise considering his practically unequaled job and that he is actually the speaking up for champion at the US Open. However he possesses never very had the exact same results at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Gamings along with just one award-- a singles bronze in 2008. So today, two full weeks after his unsatisfying coating at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris wherefore could be his last Games, along with his eyes bented on the the main thing that has actually thwarted him throughout his historical profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened dip into Roland Garros on Sunday with an effective 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He will certainly next off participate in acquainted enemy Rafael Nadal in the second shot in hopes of acquiring one action nearer to his desire." [It is actually so exclusive to be] portion of the oldest sports celebration in the record of sporting activity," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Obviously succeeding a gold award or even succeeding any award for my nation is actually a wonderful dream and also wish. It is just one of [my] greatest concerns as well as targets for [this] period, there is actually no secret regarding that." THERE is actually LITTLE ELSE Djokovic have not attained in tennis.Since switching qualified in 2003, Djokovic has won the Australian Open 10 times (the best by any kind of gamer in the Open period), as well as is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time United States Open champion as well as three-time French Open champion. He is actually tied with Margaret Court for the very most major songs labels in the sporting activity's history, and he possesses the absolute most in the Open era.Djokovic has actually succeeded 98 career songs titles (and one in doubles) as well as has kept the planet No. 1 position for a mixed 428 full weeks-- another record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own 1st as well as only Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, something that he eventually called "the most effective feeling I ever before invited my lifestyle as a ping pong player." Yet while he is actually always referred to how much it suggests to him to be capable to represent his nation as well as how much he enjoys the encounter of the Olympic Gamings, he is actually simply never had the ability to equate his traditional dominance to sporting activity's greatest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his only Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut 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 significant variation than the best-of-five-sets utilized by guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled through the draw up until Nadal, the ultimate 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, that had actually won his initial significant title earlier that season in Melbourne, couldn't hide his enjoyment after the fit." [I'm] very delighted. I indicate, to gain any type of award in the Olympics is actually a huge accomplishment for any sort of professional athlete I think," Djokovic mentioned. "Few of the sportsmens obtain an odds to succeed a medal. But also for me, this bronze, which I won right here, radiates like a gold since I assume I've played decent ping pong all tournament." Djokovic also participated in increases alongside Nenad Zimonjic, however the pair dropped in the initial round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champion, was actually named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening event. He described it as "an out-of-body expertise" and a "big satisfaction and also responsibility and also honor." The competitors was secured at Wimbledon, where he had gained the label the year just before, yet 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 straight sets. Djokovic lost once again in the preliminary of multiplies, this time around with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually specifically aggravating, because he had actually won all three primary titles had that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years eventually the challenging court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the top seed (as well as right now a 12-time primary champion) but he was stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and also Zimonjic lost in the 2nd around of doubles.But no reduction hurt more challenging than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic got there after winning all three of the year's Bangs. He got on a quest to join merely Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis players in record to accomplish the "Golden Slam"-- all four primary labels and also an Olympic single people gold in the very same season.But in the semifinals-- however once more-- Djokovic had his aspirations shattered through eventual gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually quickly taken the 1st set 6-1 however then succeeded simply four video games in the last two collections. Factors got back at worse in the bronze award complement against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic strained to control his feelings, and also misused his racket on numerous celebrations. He shed the suit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and afterwards took out from the mixed increases bronze-medal suit (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later on that exact same day, presenting a remaining shoulder accident. He had played seven complements in 4 times across draws and also it appeared it had all reached him." I participated in under medications, amazing pain and also fatigue," Djokovic said.He never ever managed to get his season fully back on course as well as shed in the final of the United States Open full weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, foiling his adjusted objective of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was additionally [an] mentally quite requiring time frame for me in the final 5, six months," Djokovic pointed out after the loss. "Bangs and Olympics ... Every thing was integrating for me below and type of accumulating all the feelings that I have actually been by means of. However I really did not make it in the final measure." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a drastically different position than he was in 3 years earlier. Certainly not merely possesses he as yet to gain a Slam this time, however he is actually yet to gain a headline of any kind. It's his worst beginning to a season considering that 2006. While he claimed he possesses no strategies to retire, he understands time is going out. He will be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the site of the French Open and also the Olympic competitors, might additionally verify challenging. He harmed his knee during the French Open in June as well as was actually pushed to remove in front of his quarterfinal suit. He underwent surgical operation for a torn medial crescent in his ideal knee on June 5, in the beginning leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final earlier this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany speculated he would skip the grass-court tournament to focus on his recovery, as well as proceed instruction on clay-based in front of the Olympics. However Djokovic got to the All England Nightclub a week just before the principal draw began. After several productive as well as pain-free strategies, he played as well as went over throughout his operate, revealing handful of signs of distress or hampered activity." If someone told me I will participate in [in the] Wimbledon final three, 4 full weeks back, I would take it for sure," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have actually had to rapidly adjust to the red clay-based after devoting recent month on grass. The surfaces could not be a lot more different-- the clay is actually considerably slower than the lawn-- and also the means players move on the courtroom is as well. It will certainly be actually complicated for also those without bodily health problems or even personal injuries. Probably partially because of this, Djokovic will simply be actually playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed tired and also a little dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was certainly not prevented." Let's find exactly how actually as well as emotionally I'm going to experience. Hopefully I can easily find the appropriate ping pong because I'm heading to require all I have and also even more to go to the final of the Olympic Video games.".