.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his terrible reduction in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was already 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 aspirations for a record-breaking 25th significant name held off. Yet it was actually clear he was making an effort to move on as quickly as he might when he talked to media reporters at his news conference eventually that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Video Games and United States Open are the 2 huge targets for the rest of the year for me actually," Djokovic pointed out. "I'm wishing I can be at my ideal [for] those 2 events. That's all I can easily claim today." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response must hardly happen as an unpleasant surprise considering his virtually unmatched career and also he is actually the speaking up for champion at the US Open. Yet he possesses never pretty possessed the very same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games with only one medal-- a songs bronze in 2008. So now, two full weeks after his disappointing surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris wherefore might be his last Games, with his eyes bented on the the main thing that has actually outruned him throughout his historical occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened play at Roland Garros on Sunday with an effective 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will certainly next off play acquainted foe Rafael Nadal in the 2nd shot in hopes of obtaining one step more detailed to his desire." [It is actually so unique to be] component of the oldest sporting activities event in the past of sport," Djokovic informed the International Ping pong Federation in May. "Naturally winning a gold medal or gaining any kind of award for my country is a wonderful wish and also want. It is one of [my] biggest priorities and also objectives for [this] season, there is no secret concerning that." THERE'S BIT ELSE Djokovic have not attained in tennis.Since turning specialist in 2003, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the best by any sort of player in the Open age), as well as is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time United States Open champ and three-time French Open champ. He is tied along with Margaret Courthouse for the very most primary single people headlines in the sporting activity's background, and also he possesses the best in the Open era.Djokovic has succeeded 98 job single people labels (as well as one in doubles) and has kept the globe No. 1 rank for a mixed 428 weeks-- yet another history. Djokovic even led Serbia to its very first and also just Davis Cup label in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later contacted "the very best emotion I ever before invited my lifestyle as a ping pong player." Yet while he is actually consistently spoken about just how much it suggests to him to be capable to exemplify his nation and also the amount of he takes pleasure in the take in of the Olympic Gamings, he's merely certainly never managed to convert his normal authority to sporting activity's greatest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his only Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets style-- a noticeable variation than the best-of-five-sets utilized by men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled with the draw till Nadal, the resulting gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal fit, Djokovic outdoed James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had won his initial major title previously that time in Melbourne, couldn't hide his enthusiasm after the fit." [I am actually] really satisfied. I indicate, to succeed any type of medal in the Olympics is a huge success for any kind of sportsmen I presume," Djokovic said. "Not many of the athletes acquire an odds to win an award. But for me, this bronze, which I gained listed below, beams like a gold due to the fact that I think I've participated in good tennis all tournament." Djokovic also played increases along with Nenad Zimonjic, however the pair dropped in the 1st round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Slam champ, was actually named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. He explained it as "an out-of-body knowledge" and also a "big delight and task and also tribute." The competition was held at Wimbledon, where he had actually gained the headline the year just before, however Djokovic lost to eventual gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct sets. Djokovic shed again in the preliminary of increases, this time around with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was specifically frustrating, due to the fact that he had actually succeeded all 3 major labels held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later the tough court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the top seed (and also now a 12-time significant champ) but he was actually stunned through Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic as well as Zimonjic lost in the 2nd round of doubles.But no loss stung more difficult than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic got here after winning all 3 of the year's Bangs. He got on a pursuit to participate in only Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis gamers in background to attain the "Golden Slam"-- all four primary titles and an Olympic singles gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his goals slammed by resulting gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had effortlessly taken the very first set 6-1 however then won just 4 video games in the final pair of sets. Things got back at much worse in the bronze award suit against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to handle his feelings, and misused his racket on various occasions. He shed the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and after that removed from the mixed multiplies bronze-medal complement (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later that exact same day, pointing out a left shoulder personal injury. He had played 7 matches in 4 times all over draws as well as it seemed it had actually all reached him." I played under medicines, unbelievable discomfort and exhaustion," Djokovic said.He never had the capacity to obtain his time entirely back on course and also lost in the last of the US Open weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, preventing his adjusted objective of the schedule Grand Slam." [It] was actually additionally [an] mentally very requiring time period for me in the last 5, 6 months," Djokovic pointed out after the reduction. "Slams and also Olympics ... Whatever was coming together for me listed here and kind of building up all the emotions that I've been actually by means of. Unfortunately I didn't make it in the last step." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a significantly various setting than he resided in three years back. Not merely possesses he as yet to succeed a Bang this time, however he is actually as yet to win a label of any sort of kind. It's his worst begin to a season given that 2006. While he said he has no plannings to retire, he recognizes time is actually ending. He will certainly be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competitors, can additionally confirm tough. He hurt his leg during the French Open in June and was forced to withdraw in advance of his quarterfinal suit. He underwent surgical procedure for a torn medial curve in his best knee on June 5, at first leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the last previously this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany guessed he would neglect the grass-court event to focus on his treatment, and also carry on instruction on clay-based ahead of the Olympics. However Djokovic arrived at the All England Club a week prior to the principal draw started. After many productive as well as pain-free practices, he played and went over throughout his operate, showing handful of signs of pain or hampered action." If somebody told me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon last three, 4 full weeks earlier, I would take it for sure," he said.Djokovic and his peers have actually must rapidly alter to the reddish clay-based after devoting recent month on turf. The areas could not be extra different-- the clay-based is actually dramatically slower than the grass-- as well as the technique players go on the courtroom is actually too. It will certainly be tricky for also those without physical health problems or even accidents. Maybe partly due to this, Djokovic is going to just be playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed tired and slightly dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was not deterred." Let's observe exactly how literally and emotionally I am actually going to feel. Perhaps I can discover the best ping pong due to the fact that I'm heading to require all I possess and also even more to head to the ultimate of the Olympic Gamings.".