.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his damaging loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was actually laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually only been defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th major title postponed. Yet it was actually clear he was actually attempting to carry on as quickly as he can when he talked to reporters at his news conference eventually that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Games as well as United States Open are actually the two major objectives for the remainder of the year for me really," Djokovic mentioned. "I am actually wishing I can be at my absolute best [for] those 2 tournaments. That is actually all I can say at this moment." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution ought to barely come as a shock considering his basically unrivaled profession and that he is actually the defending champion at the United States Open. However he possesses certainly never quite had the very same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Games with just one award-- a singles bronze in 2008. Therefore now, two weeks after his disappointing appearance at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris of what could be his ultimate Games, with his eyes set on the the main thing that has actually eluded him throughout his famous occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Saturday with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Matthew Ebden. He will next off play knowledgeable opponent Rafael Nadal in the second round in chances of obtaining one step closer to his goal." [It is actually therefore unique to be] part of the earliest sports occasion in the record of sporting activity," Djokovic informed the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Certainly winning a gold medal or succeeding any kind of medal for my country is actually a wonderful wish as well as dream. It is just one of [my] biggest concerns and also objectives for [this] season, there is actually clear about that." THERE is actually BIT ELSE Djokovic hasn't obtained in tennis.Since turning specialist in 2003, Djokovic has won the Australian Open 10 times (the best by any player outdoors period), and also is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time United States Open champion and also three-time French Open champion. He is matched with Margaret Courtroom for the very most primary singles labels in the sport's record, as well as he possesses the most outdoors era.Djokovic has gained 98 job singles labels (as well as one in doubles) and has actually held the world No. 1 ranking for a consolidated 428 full weeks-- another track record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its first and just Davis Mug title in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later on called "the most ideal feeling I ever had in my life as a ping pong player." However while he's always referred to how much it means to him to become capable to embody his country and the amount of he delights in the take in of the Olympic Games, he's simply never ever been able to translate his traditional supremacy to sport's biggest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his single Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching 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 style-- a significant distinction than the best-of-five-sets made use of through males in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled with the draw until Nadal, the resulting gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal match, Djokovic surpassed James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had actually gained his very first significant name previously that time in Melbourne, couldn't hide his enthusiasm after the fit." [I am actually] really pleased. I mean, to win any kind of medal in the Olympics is actually a huge achievement for any kind of sportsmen I think," Djokovic claimed. "Very few of the sportsmens acquire a chance to gain an award. But also for me, this bronze, which I succeeded below, radiates like a gold due to the fact that I presume I've played good tennis all tournament." Djokovic also participated in multiplies together with Nenad Zimonjic, however both shed in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champion, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening service. He illustrated it as "an out-of-body adventure" and also a "substantial delight and also obligation and honor." The competitors was actually secured at Wimbledon, where he had succeeded the headline the year prior to, yet Djokovic shed to possible gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct collections. Djokovic dropped once more in the first round of doubles, this time with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was especially discouraging, given that he had actually won all 3 major titles kept that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the difficult court of law in Rio, Djokovic was actually the front runner (and also now a 12-time major champion) but he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic as well as Zimonjic shed in the 2nd around of doubles.But no loss hurt harder than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic got here after gaining all 3 of the year's Slams. He got on a journey to join simply Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in history to attain the "Golden Bang"-- all four primary labels and also an Olympic songs gold in the very same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his dreams shattered by ultimate gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had effortlessly taken the 1st set 6-1 but at that point won simply 4 activities in the last two sets. Things evened the score worse in the bronze medal suit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to manage his emotional states, and also abused his racket on various affairs. He dropped the suit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then withdrew from the blended multiplies bronze-medal fit (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later that very same day, citing a left shoulder injury. He had participated in 7 complements in four days around draws and also it appeared it had all caught up to him." I played under medicines, astounding discomfort and exhaustion," Djokovic said.He never ever had the ability to receive his period completely back on course and shed in the last of the US Open full weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, preventing his modified goal of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was actually additionally [an] emotionally extremely demanding time period for me in the final five, six months," Djokovic said after the reduction. "Slams and Olympics ... Whatever was actually collaborating for me listed below and type of gathering all the emotional states that I've been actually through. Regrettably I really did not create it in the final action." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a drastically various placement than he resided in three years back. Certainly not just possesses he yet to succeed a Bang this time, however he is actually yet to win a label of any kind. It's his worst start to a season due to the fact that 2006. While he claimed he possesses no plannings to retire, he recognizes opportunity is going out. He is going to be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open and the Olympic competitors, could also verify demanding. He hurt his knee during the course of the French Open in June and was actually pushed to withdraw ahead of his quarterfinal suit. He underwent surgical treatment for a torn median crescent in his right leg on June 5, originally leaving his status for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic shed to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the last previously this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany guessed he would certainly neglect the grass-court event to concentrate on his rehab, and also continue instruction on clay-based before the Olympics. Yet Djokovic got to the All England Club a full week before the main draw started. After many effective and also pain-free strategies, he participated in and also went over throughout his operate, revealing few indications of discomfort or hindered motion." If somebody told me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon ultimate three, four full weeks back, I would take it for sure," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have actually had to quickly alter to the reddish clay after investing recent month on lawn. The areas could not be more different-- the clay is actually substantially slower than the turf-- and the way players move on the courthouse is actually at the same time. It is going to be actually difficult for also those without any bodily conditions or personal injuries. Probably partially because of this, Djokovic will just be actually playing in songs at these Games.But while Djokovic appeared exhausted as well as somewhat dejected after the Wimbledon ultimate, he was actually not hindered." Permit's find how actually and also mentally I'm mosting likely to feel. Ideally I can easily find the ideal ping pong given that I am actually heading to need to have all I have and even more to visit the final of the Olympic Gamings.".