.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his dreadful loss in the Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic was currently laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually just been defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his dreams for a record-breaking 25th primary title postponed. However it was very clear he was actually trying to go on as quickly as he could possibly when he spoke with reporters at his press conference later that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Video Games and also United States Open are the 2 major targets for the rest of the year for me truly," Djokovic claimed. "I am actually wishing I may be at my absolute best [for] those two events. That is actually all I can easily point out immediately." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution need to hardly happen as an unpleasant surprise considering his basically unrivaled career and that he is actually the standing up for champ at the United States Open. But he has never quite had the exact same success at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games with merely one award-- a single people bronze in 2008. Therefore today, pair of weeks after his frustrating surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what could be his last Games, with his eyes bented on the a single thing that has eluded him throughout his famous occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened dip into Roland Garros on Saturday along with an effective 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He will definitely next off play acquainted enemy Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in hopes of acquiring one action closer to his desire." [It is actually therefore special to become] component of the oldest sports activity in the past history of sporting activity," Djokovic told the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Obviously gaining a gold award or winning any kind of award for my nation is an excellent wish and dream. It is one of [my] ultimate top priorities and also goals for [this] time, there is obvious concerning that." THERE'S LITTLE ELSE Djokovic hasn't achieved in tennis.Since transforming professional in 2003, Djokovic has actually won the Australian Open 10 opportunities (one of the most by any kind of player outdoors period), as well as is a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time US Open champion and three-time French Open champ. He is actually tied along with Margaret Courthouse for the very most significant songs titles in the sport's past history, and also he has one of the most in the Open era.Djokovic has succeeded 98 job singles labels (and one in multiplies) as well as has kept the planet No. 1 rank for a combined 428 weeks-- an additional history. Djokovic even led Serbia to its own very first and only Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later called "the very best feeling I ever before had in my life as a ping pong player." But while he's constantly mentioned just how much it implies to him to become capable to represent his nation as well as the amount of he takes pleasure in the experience of the Olympic Games, he's simply never ever managed to equate his traditional domination to sport's biggest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his solitary Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a noticeable distinction than the best-of-five-sets made use of through men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun with the draw up until Nadal, the eventual gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award fit, Djokovic exceeded James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had gained his 1st primary title previously that period in Melbourne, could not conceal his enthusiasm after the complement." [I am actually] extremely happy. I indicate, to win any sort of medal in the Olympics is actually a substantial success for any kind of athlete I think," Djokovic mentioned. "Few of the sportsmens receive a possibility to win an award. However, for me, this bronze, which I gained right here, beams like a gold since I think I've participated in decent tennis all event." Djokovic likewise participated in doubles along with Nenad Zimonjic, however both shed in the initial round.In 2012, Djokovic, then a five-time Bang champion, was actually named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening event. He defined it as "an out-of-body adventure" and a "substantial enjoyment and obligation and also respect." The competition was actually kept at Wimbledon, where he had succeeded the headline the year prior to, however Djokovic lost to resulting gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets. Djokovic dropped again in the first round of multiplies, this time around along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually especially irritating, since he had won all three major titles had that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years in the future the hard court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the top seed (and also currently a 12-time significant champion) however he was stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and also Zimonjic dropped in the second sphere of doubles.But no loss stung more challenging than in 2021. Competing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Video games, Djokovic got here after gaining all 3 of the year's Bangs. He was on a quest to participate in just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis players in background to obtain the "Golden Bang"-- all four significant headlines as well as an Olympic single people gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his dreams shattered by eventual gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had simply taken the very first set 6-1 but after that won simply four activities in the last pair of sets. Things got back at much worse in the bronze medal complement against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to handle his emotions, and misused his racket on a number of affairs. He shed the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and after that withdrew from the combined increases bronze-medal fit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later on that exact same day, pointing out a remaining shoulder personal injury. He had actually played 7 matches in four days across draws and also it appeared it had actually all caught up to him." I played under medications, amazing discomfort as well as tiredness," Djokovic said.He never ever had the capacity to acquire his season completely back on the right track and shed in the final of the US Open weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, preventing his modified goal of the schedule Grand Slam." [It] was likewise [an] emotionally very demanding time frame for me in the last 5, 6 months," Djokovic mentioned after the reduction. "Bangs as well as Olympics ... Everything was actually converging for me listed below and also kind of gathering all the emotions that I have actually been actually via. Sadly I failed to create it in the last action." DJOKOVIC NOW Goes Back To the Olympics in a substantially various setting than he remained in 3 years back. Not simply has he as yet to gain a Bang this season, however he's yet to gain a title of any kind. It's his worst start to a season because 2006. While he mentioned he has no plannings to resign, he understands time is ending. He is going to be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competitors, could likewise prove challenging. He hurt his knee in the course of the French Open in June and also was forced to withdraw in front of his quarterfinal match. He undertook surgical operation for a torn medial meniscus in his correct knee on June 5, originally leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic shed to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the last previously this month, and also in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany hypothesized he will pass up the grass-court event to pay attention to his rehabilitation, and also proceed instruction on clay-based before the Olympics. However Djokovic got to the All England Nightclub a week prior to the principal draw began. After several prosperous and also pain-free techniques, he participated in as well as went over throughout his run, presenting handful of indicators of pain or even interfered with movement." If an individual told me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon final 3, four weeks ago, I would certainly take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic and his peers have actually needed to quickly alter to the reddish clay after devoting the past month on lawn. The surfaces could not be actually much more various-- the clay-based is actually substantially slower than the yard-- and the means players proceed the court is at the same time. It will definitely be actually difficult for also those with no bodily afflictions or even accidents. Maybe partially because of this, Djokovic is going to merely be actually playing in single people at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed tired and a little dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was not prevented." Let's view just how actually and psychologically I'm heading to really feel. With any luck I may discover the correct tennis since I'm heading to need all I have and also more to go to the ultimate of the Olympic Video games.".