.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his devastating loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was already laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually just been actually defeated through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his desires for a record-breaking 25th significant title delayed. But it was very clear he was actually making an effort to carry on as swiftly as he can when he talked with press reporters at his press conference eventually that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Video Games and also United States Open are both significant objectives for the remainder of the year for me really," Djokovic mentioned. "I'm hoping I can be at my finest [for] those pair of events. That is actually all I may point out now." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution ought to hardly come as a surprise considering his basically unparalleled career and also he's the speaking up for champ at the United States Open. But he possesses never very possessed the exact same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Gamings with just one medal-- a songs bronze in 2008. So today, 2 full weeks after his unsatisfactory appearance at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris wherefore could be his final Games, along with his eyes set on the one point that has actually avoided him throughout his historic career: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up dip into Roland Garros on Saturday along with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He will definitely next off play knowledgeable adversary Rafael Nadal in the 2nd shot in chances of acquiring one action more detailed to his dream." [It's thus unique to become] aspect of the oldest sporting activities celebration in the history of sporting activity," Djokovic told the International Ping pong Federation in May. "Certainly winning a gold award or even gaining any award for my nation is an excellent desire and yearning. It is just one of [my] best concerns and also targets for [this] period, there is actually obvious concerning that." THERE'S MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic have not obtained in tennis.Since transforming specialist in 2003, Djokovic has actually succeeded the Australian Open 10 opportunities (one of the most by any gamer in the Open period), and also is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champion and also three-time French Open champ. He is actually tied with Margaret Courtroom for the very most major single people headlines in the sporting activity's record, and also he possesses the best in the Open era.Djokovic has actually won 98 profession single people headlines (and one in multiplies) and also has kept the planet No. 1 ranking for a mixed 428 full weeks-- one more record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own 1st and also simply Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later on called "the most effective emotion I ever invited my life as a ping pong player." But while he's consistently discussed how much it indicates to him to be capable to exemplify his country and also how much he takes pleasure in the encounter of the Olympic Games, he is actually simply never had the capacity to equate his regular supremacy to sporting activity's largest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his only Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer as well as Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a noticeable distinction than the best-of-five-sets used by guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun with the draw till 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, who had won his very first significant title earlier that season in Melbourne, could not hide his pleasure after the match." [I am actually] quite delighted. I mean, to gain any sort of medal in the Olympics is actually a significant success for any sort of athlete I believe," Djokovic pointed out. "Very few of the professional athletes receive a chance to gain a medal. But also for me, this bronze, which I gained listed below, beams like a gold due to the fact that I assume I have actually participated in pretty good tennis all tournament." Djokovic additionally played multiplies along with Nenad Zimonjic, however the pair lost in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Slam champ, was called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. He defined it as "an out-of-body expertise" as well as a "big pleasure as well as obligation and also tribute." The competitors was actually secured at Wimbledon, where he had gained the label the year before, but Djokovic lost to possible gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct collections. Djokovic dropped again in the first round of multiplies, this moment along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually especially aggravating, given that he had won all 3 primary headlines held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years eventually the tough court of law in Rio, Djokovic was actually the top seed (and also currently a 12-time primary champ) but he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and Zimonjic lost in the second sphere of doubles.But no loss hurt tougher than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Video games, Djokovic came in after gaining all 3 of the year's Slams. He performed a mission to join merely Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis gamers in past to accomplish the "Golden Slam"-- all four primary headlines and an Olympic singles gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however once more-- Djokovic had his dreams shattered by resulting gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had conveniently taken the first set 6-1 yet then gained only 4 games in the last pair of collections. Traits got even much worse in the bronze award complement versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic had a hard time to regulate his emotional states, and misused his racket on a number of events. He lost the fit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and afterwards took out from the mixed doubles bronze-medal complement (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later that exact same time, mentioning a remaining shoulder injury. He had participated in 7 suits in four days throughout attracts and it appeared it had all caught up to him." I participated in under medicines, unbelievable pain as well as fatigue," Djokovic said.He certainly never had the capacity to receive his time completely back on track as well as dropped in the ultimate of the US Open weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, combating his adjusted target of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was additionally [an] mentally very requiring time period for me in the final five, 6 months," Djokovic pointed out after the reduction. "Slams and also Olympics ... Everything was actually coming together for me here and kind of accumulating all the feelings that I have actually been through. However I didn't create it in the ultimate step." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a drastically different setting than he was in three years earlier. Certainly not only possesses he as yet to gain a Slam this season, yet he is actually yet to gain a title of any type of kind. It's his worst begin to a period given that 2006. While he said he possesses no strategies to retire, he understands time is actually running out. He will be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And coming back to Roland Garros, the web site of the French Open and also the Olympic competition, could possibly likewise verify tough. He injured his leg during the French Open in June and was pushed to withdraw ahead of his quarterfinal match. He went through surgery for a torn medial curve in his right knee on June 5, in the beginning leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the last previously this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany speculated he will neglect the grass-court competition to concentrate on his rehab, and carry on instruction on clay in advance of the Olympics. But Djokovic reached the All England Nightclub a week prior to the primary draw began. After many successful as well as pain-free methods, he participated in as well as was impressive throughout his run, showing handful of indications of pain or even obstructed action." If an individual informed me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon last three, 4 weeks ago, I will take it for sure," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have actually must rapidly readjust to the reddish clay after devoting the past month on yard. The surfaces couldn't be a lot more various-- the clay-based is actually considerably slower than the turf-- as well as the technique players move on the court is actually too. It will definitely be actually tricky for also those without physical ailments or accidents. Maybe in part due to this, Djokovic will just be actually playing in single people at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed weary as well as a little dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was actually not put off." Permit's view exactly how physically and mentally I'm visiting really feel. Ideally I may discover the best tennis given that I am actually heading to need to have all I possess and even more to head to the ultimate of the Olympic Video games.".