.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his devastating reduction in the Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic was currently laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually just been defeated through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his desires for a record-breaking 25th primary name delayed. Yet it was actually clear he was actually trying to move on as rapidly as he can when he contacted reporters at his press conference eventually that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Gamings and also United States Open are both large targets for the rest of the year for me definitely," Djokovic pointed out. "I am actually hoping I could be at my greatest [for] those two events. That is actually all I can easily point out today." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response should rarely happen as an unpleasant surprise considering his practically unrivaled job and also he's the defending champion at the US Open. But he possesses never quite possessed the very same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games with just one medal-- a singles bronze in 2008. So now, pair of weeks after his frustrating coating at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what could be his last Gamings, with his eyes set on the the main thing that has avoided him throughout his famous occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened dip into Roland Garros on Saturday with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He will next off participate in acquainted adversary Rafael Nadal in the second round in chances of receiving one action closer to his aspiration." [It is actually therefore unique to be] aspect of the earliest sports event in the record of sport," Djokovic told the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Obviously succeeding a gold award or even gaining any kind of award for my country is an excellent dream and also want. It is just one of [my] greatest top priorities as well as goals for [this] period, there is actually no secret about that." THERE is actually BIT ELSE Djokovic have not obtained in tennis.Since turning qualified in 2003, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open 10 times (the most through any type of player in the Open period), as well as is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champ as well as three-time French Open champ. He is actually tied along with Margaret Courtroom for the very most major single people labels in the sport's past, as well as he has the absolute most outdoors era.Djokovic has actually gained 98 profession songs headlines (as well as one in doubles) and has stored the world No. 1 position for a bundled 428 full weeks-- yet another history. Djokovic even led Serbia to its very first and also simply Davis Cup label in Belgrade in 2010, something that he eventually called "the very best feeling I ever had in my lifestyle as a tennis gamer." Yet while he is actually always referred to how much it suggests to him to be able to represent his nation as well as how much he appreciates the take in of the Olympic Video games, he is actually just never ever had the capacity to translate his common prominence to sport's most significant stage.Djokovic succeeded 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, responsible for Roger Federer as well as Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a marked distinction than the best-of-five-sets made use of through guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun via the draw till Nadal, the possible gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal match, Djokovic topped James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had actually won his very first major name previously that period in Melbourne, couldn't conceal his enthusiasm after the suit." [I'm] quite delighted. I indicate, to win any medal in the Olympics is a big success for any sportsmen I assume," Djokovic pointed out. "Very few of the professional athletes acquire a possibility to gain a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I won listed here, radiates like a gold considering that I believe I've participated in fair tennis all tournament." Djokovic likewise participated in multiplies along with Nenad Zimonjic, yet both dropped in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, then a five-time Slam champ, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. He explained it as "an out-of-body experience" and also a "significant enjoyment and also responsibility as well as respect." The competition was actually held at Wimbledon, where he had actually gained the headline the year before, but Djokovic dropped to eventual gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in direct collections. Djokovic shed once again in the preliminary of doubles, this time around with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually particularly aggravating, considering that he had actually succeeded all 3 significant titles held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years eventually the challenging court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the top seed (and also right now a 12-time major champ) but he was stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and Zimonjic shed in the second around of doubles.But no reduction hurt tougher than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Video games, Djokovic arrived after succeeding all 3 of the year's Slams. He was on a mission to sign up with just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis players in past history to attain the "Golden Slam"-- all four primary headlines and an Olympic singles gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his aspirations beat through ultimate gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had actually conveniently taken the 1st collection 6-1 however at that point gained only 4 video games in the ultimate pair of collections. Things got back at much worse in the bronze award complement against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to manage his emotional states, and also misused his racket on numerous occasions. He lost the fit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and after that removed coming from the blended increases bronze-medal suit (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start eventually that same time, pointing out a nigh side shoulder trauma. He had actually played 7 suits in four days across draws and it appeared it had all caught up to him." I played under medications, incredible ache and tiredness," Djokovic said.He never ever managed to obtain his period fully back on course and shed in the ultimate of the US Open weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, combating his altered target of the schedule Grand Slam." [It] was additionally [an] emotionally extremely requiring period for me in the final 5, six months," Djokovic said after the loss. "Slams and Olympics ... Everything was actually converging for me below and also sort of collecting all the emotional states that I have actually been actually with. However I didn't make it in the ultimate measure." DJOKOVIC NOW Goes Back To the Olympics in a significantly different setting than he remained in 3 years back. Not just possesses he yet to win a Slam this time, however he is actually as yet to gain a label of any kind. It's his worst beginning to a season given that 2006. While he claimed he possesses no plannings to retire, he recognizes opportunity is running out. He will certainly be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the website of the French Open as well as the Olympic competitors, can likewise show challenging. He hurt his leg in the course of the French Open in June and was forced to remove in advance of his quarterfinal match. He went through surgical procedure for a torn medial curve in his appropriate knee on June 5, at first leaving his status for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final earlier this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany hypothesized he will neglect the grass-court event to focus on his recovery, and proceed instruction on clay-based before the Olympics. But Djokovic came to the All England Nightclub a full week before the primary draw began. After several productive and pain-free techniques, he played as well as was impressive throughout his operate, presenting handful of signs of discomfort or even interfered with activity." If a person informed me I would play [in the] Wimbledon ultimate three, four weeks earlier, I would take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have had to quickly adjust to the reddish clay-based after investing recent month on turf. The areas could not be actually even more various-- the clay-based is actually substantially slower than the turf-- as well as the means players go on the courtroom is actually as well. It will definitely be complicated for even those without any physical afflictions or traumas. Maybe in part due to this, Djokovic is going to only be playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be weary and a little dejected after the Wimbledon ultimate, he was actually certainly not prevented." Let's view how literally and also psychologically I'm mosting likely to feel. Hopefully I may find the ideal tennis considering that I am actually visiting require all I have and also more to go to the last of the Olympic Video games.".