.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN pair of hours after his damaging reduction in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was actually presently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually just been actually defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his dreams for a record-breaking 25th major title held off. But it was actually very clear he was trying to carry on as rapidly as he could possibly when he talked with media reporters at his press conference eventually that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Gamings and United States Open are actually the 2 major objectives for the rest of the year for me really," Djokovic claimed. "I am actually wishing I could be at my finest [for] those two competitions. That's all I can easily mention today." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response need to barely happen as a surprise considering his practically unrivaled profession and also he is actually the speaking up for champion at the US Open. But he has never pretty possessed the very same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Video games along with merely one medal-- a songs bronze in 2008. So today, two weeks after his disappointing coating at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris of what could be his final Games, along with his eyes set on the something that has actually thwarted him throughout his famous occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Sunday along with a persuading 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He is going to next participate in acquainted enemy Rafael Nadal in the second shot in chances of obtaining one step closer to his dream." [It's so special to become] aspect of the earliest sporting activities event in the past history of sporting activity," Djokovic told the International Ping pong Federation in May. "Naturally gaining a gold medal or even gaining any kind of medal for my country is actually a fantastic desire and also longing. It is just one of [my] biggest concerns as well as goals for [this] time, there is actually obvious about that." THERE'S LITTLE ELSE Djokovic hasn't attained in tennis.Since switching expert in 2003, Djokovic has won the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the best through any sort of gamer in the Open age), as well as is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time United States Open champ and three-time French Open champion. He is matched along with Margaret Courthouse for the most significant single people titles in the sport's record, and also he has the best outdoors era.Djokovic has succeeded 98 occupation singles labels (and also one in increases) as well as has actually stored the planet No. 1 rank for a bundled 428 full weeks-- one more record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its initial and also just Davis Cup label in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he eventually contacted "the best feeling I ever before had in my lifestyle as a tennis player." But while he's consistently mentioned how much it suggests to him to become capable to embody his nation as well as the amount of he delights in the experience of the Olympic Games, he is actually just never ever been able to translate his traditional domination to sporting activity's greatest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his lone Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching 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 difference than the best-of-five-sets used by guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled through the draw until Nadal, the ultimate 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, that had gained his initial significant name earlier that period in Melbourne, could not hide his excitement after the match." [I am actually] very satisfied. I indicate, to win any kind of award in the Olympics is actually a substantial achievement for any sort of sportsmen I believe," Djokovic pointed out. "Not many of the sportsmens obtain an opportunity to succeed a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I gained here, beams like a gold considering that I assume I've participated in fair ping pong all tournament." Djokovic additionally participated in multiplies together with Nenad Zimonjic, yet the pair shed in the first round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Slam champ, was named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening service. He illustrated it as "an out-of-body experience" as well as a "big satisfaction and also accountability as well as tribute." The competition was actually held at Wimbledon, where he had actually won the title the year before, yet Djokovic lost to possible gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in straight collections. Djokovic shed once more in the first round of doubles, this moment along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was especially irritating, due to the fact that he had actually succeeded all three major titles had that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the challenging court in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (as well as right now a 12-time major champ) yet he was actually stunned through Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and also Zimonjic shed in the 2nd sphere of doubles.But no reduction hurt more difficult than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic got there after succeeding all 3 of the year's Bangs. He got on a mission to sign up with only Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis gamers in background to obtain the "Golden Slam"-- all four primary titles as well as an Olympic single people gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- however once more-- Djokovic had his aspirations shattered through possible gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had actually effortlessly taken the first set 6-1 but after that succeeded simply 4 games in the final pair of collections. Things got back at much worse in the bronze medal complement against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to control his emotional states, as well as misused his racket on a number of events. He dropped the fit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then took out coming from the combined multiplies bronze-medal fit (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later on that very same time, pointing out a left side shoulder accident. He had actually participated in 7 complements in 4 times across draws as well as it seemed it had all caught up to him." I participated in under medicines, astonishing pain as well as fatigue," Djokovic said.He never had the ability to get his season fully back on course as well as lost in the final of the United States Open full weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, combating his adjusted objective of the calendar Conquest." [It] was actually likewise [an] psychologically extremely asking for time period for me in the final 5, six months," Djokovic said after the loss. "Bangs as well as Olympics ... Whatever was converging for me listed below and sort of building up all the feelings that I've been actually via. Sadly I didn't make it in the final step." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a substantially various position than he remained in 3 years ago. Not merely has he yet to win a Slam this period, however he is actually yet to gain a title of any type of kind. It's his worst beginning to a time due to the fact that 2006. While he said he possesses no plans to retire, he understands opportunity is actually running out. He will certainly be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the site of the French Open and also the Olympic competitors, could additionally show tough. He harmed his leg in the course of the French Open in June as well as was actually forced to take out ahead of his quarterfinal suit. He undertook surgical procedure for a torn median curve in his correct knee on June 5, in the beginning leaving his status for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic shed to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final earlier this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany supposed he will leave out the grass-court competition to concentrate on his recovery, and also continue instruction on clay-based ahead of the Olympics. But Djokovic came to the All England Nightclub a full week before the primary draw started. After a number of successful and pain-free techniques, he played and went over throughout his run, presenting handful of signs of soreness or even interfered with activity." If somebody informed me I will play [in the] Wimbledon ultimate three, four full weeks back, I will take it for sure," he said.Djokovic and his peers have must quickly adjust to the reddish clay-based after spending recent month on yard. The surface areas could not be actually even more various-- the clay is actually significantly slower than the grass-- and the method players carry on the courtroom is actually too. It is going to be challenging for also those without any physical disorders or even accidents. Perhaps in part due to this, Djokovic will just be actually playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed exhausted as well as somewhat dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was actually certainly not put off." Allow's see how literally as well as emotionally I'm going to feel. With any luck I can easily find the ideal ping pong since I'm going to need to have all I possess as well as even more to head to the ultimate of the Olympic Gamings.".