.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hours after his damaging loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was actually presently laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had merely been actually beat through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th major title held off. Yet it was very clear he was making an effort to proceed as swiftly as he could when he talked with reporters at his news conference eventually that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Games and US Open are actually both large goals for the rest of the year for me truly," Djokovic stated. "I am actually wishing I could be at my finest [for] those pair of tournaments. That is actually all I may claim today." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer should hardly come as an unpleasant surprise considering his basically unequaled job and also he's the standing up for champion at the US Open. But he possesses never ever fairly possessed the exact same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Gamings along with simply one medal-- a single people bronze in 2008. Thus right now, pair of full weeks after his unsatisfying surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris of what may be his last Video games, with his eyes set on the something that has avoided him throughout his historic occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened play at Roland Garros on Saturday along with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will definitely next off participate in familiar enemy Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in hopes of acquiring one measure nearer to his aspiration." [It is actually therefore special to become] aspect of the earliest sports activity in the background of sport," Djokovic informed the International Ping pong Federation in May. "Naturally succeeding a gold award or succeeding any type of award for my country is actually a wonderful wish as well as want. It is among [my] ultimate top priorities and goals for [this] season, there is no secret concerning that." THERE'S LITTLE ELSE Djokovic hasn't accomplished in tennis.Since transforming professional in 2003, Djokovic has actually won the Australian Open 10 times (the best by any sort of gamer in the Open age), and is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time United States Open champion and also three-time French Open champion. He is actually tied along with Margaret Courthouse for the most significant single people headlines in the sporting activity's record, and also he has one of the most in the Open era.Djokovic has actually won 98 job singles labels (as well as one in increases) and also has actually kept the globe No. 1 ranking for a combined 428 full weeks-- another history. Djokovic also led Serbia to its 1st as well as merely Davis Mug title in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later on called "the best sensation I ever before invited my lifestyle as a tennis gamer." Yet while he is actually constantly referred to just how much it means to him to be capable to embody his country and how much he appreciates the experience of the Olympic Gamings, he's just never been able to translate his normal supremacy to sporting activity's greatest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his single Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a noticeable difference than the best-of-five-sets used through guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun with the draw until Nadal, the possible gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award fit, Djokovic beat James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had gained his very first major title previously that period in Melbourne, could not conceal his excitement after the suit." [I am actually] really delighted. I imply, to gain any sort of award in the Olympics is actually a massive achievement for any kind of sportsmen I believe," Djokovic claimed. "Very few of the sportsmens acquire a possibility to succeed a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I gained here, sparkles like a gold due to the fact that I assume I've played fair tennis all event." Djokovic also participated in multiplies together with Nenad Zimonjic, but the pair shed in the 1st round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Bang champion, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the position service. He defined it as "an out-of-body expertise" as well as a "huge satisfaction and accountability as well as honor." The competitors was kept at Wimbledon, where he had actually gained the title the year before, yet Djokovic dropped to resulting gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct sets. Djokovic dropped once more in the first round of doubles, this time around along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was especially discouraging, given that he had actually succeeded all three significant headlines had that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the hard court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the front runner (as well as right now a 12-time primary champion) but he was stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and also Zimonjic dropped in the second around of doubles.But no reduction stung more difficult than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Video games, Djokovic showed up after succeeding all 3 of the year's Slams. He performed a mission to sign up with simply Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis players in history to achieve the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 primary titles and an Olympic singles gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- yet again-- Djokovic had his dreams dashed through resulting gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually easily taken the initial set 6-1 but at that point won only 4 video games in the last two collections. Points got even worse in the bronze award match versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to manage his feelings, and abused his racket on numerous affairs. He lost the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then removed from the combined doubles bronze-medal match (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later on that very same time, citing a left side shoulder injury. He had played seven fits in four times around attracts as well as it appeared it had all reached him." I participated in under medications, astounding ache as well as tiredness," Djokovic said.He never ever managed to obtain his period entirely back on the right track and lost in the last of the United States Open full weeks later on to Daniil Medvedev, thwarting his altered target of the schedule Grand Slam." [It] was actually likewise [an] psychologically really demanding duration for me in the final five, six months," Djokovic stated after the reduction. "Slams and Olympics ... Everything was converging for me below as well as sort of building up all the feelings that I've been actually through. However I failed to create it in the last action." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a drastically various setting than he remained in 3 years ago. Certainly not only possesses he yet to gain a Bang this season, yet he is actually as yet to win a title of any kind. It's his worst begin to a period due to the fact that 2006. While he claimed he has no strategies to retire, he understands time is running out. He will certainly be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the web site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competitors, might likewise prove demanding. He wounded his knee during the French Open in June and was forced to remove in advance of his quarterfinal suit. He underwent surgical treatment for a torn medial meniscus in his ideal leg on June 5, at first leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic dropped to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the last earlier this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany speculated he would certainly leave out the grass-court competition to pay attention to his rehabilitation, and also carry on instruction on clay-based ahead of the Olympics. Yet Djokovic got to the All England Nightclub a week before the major draw started. After many effective and pain-free practices, he played and was impressive throughout his operate, showing handful of indications of pain or even hindered movement." If a person informed me I would participate in [in the] Wimbledon last 3, 4 full weeks earlier, I will take it for sure," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have actually must rapidly alter to the red clay after investing the past month on yard. The areas couldn't be actually even more different-- the clay is dramatically slower than the grass-- and the way players carry on the courtroom is at the same time. It will be actually complicated for also those without any bodily afflictions or injuries. Probably partially because of this, Djokovic is going to merely be actually playing in single people at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be weary as well as slightly dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was not discouraged." Let's view exactly how literally and also psychologically I'm going to feel. With any luck I may find the ideal tennis because I am actually heading to require all I possess and even more to head to the ultimate of the Olympic Video games.".