.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN pair of hrs after his damaging reduction in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was actually laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had only been actually defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th significant title delayed. But it was actually clear he was attempting to move on as rapidly as he can when he spoke with reporters at his news conference later that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Video Games and US Open are actually both major targets for the rest of the year for me definitely," Djokovic mentioned. "I'm hoping I may be at my best [for] those 2 events. That is actually all I can easily say right now." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer need to barely come as a surprise considering his virtually unparalleled job and also he is actually the defending champion at the United States Open. Yet he has never ever fairly possessed the same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games along with merely one medal-- a songs bronze in 2008. Thus right now, pair of full weeks after his frustrating appearance at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris wherefore may be his ultimate Video games, with his eyes set on the one point that has actually avoided him throughout his famous occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up dip into Roland Garros on Saturday with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He is going to next participate in acquainted enemy Rafael Nadal in the 2nd shot in hopes of acquiring one action closer to his dream." [It is actually thus special to be] component of the earliest sports occasion in the record of sporting activity," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Federation in May. "Obviously succeeding a gold medal or even winning any kind of medal for my nation is an excellent dream and also yearning. It is just one of [my] greatest top priorities and objectives for [this] season, there is no secret about that." THERE is actually LITTLE ELSE Djokovic hasn't accomplished in tennis.Since turning specialist in 2003, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the absolute most through any sort of player outdoors age), and is a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time US Open champion and three-time French Open champ. He is matched with Margaret Courthouse for the very most major singles headlines in the sport's history, and also he possesses one of the most in the Open era.Djokovic has gained 98 career songs titles (and also one in multiplies) and also has actually stored the globe No. 1 ranking for a combined 428 full weeks-- another record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its own initial and also merely Davis Cup label in Belgrade in 2010, something that he eventually phoned "the best emotion I ever had in my lifestyle as a ping pong player." Yet while he is actually always discussed the amount of it suggests to him to be capable to represent his nation and the amount of he enjoys the encounter of the Olympic Games, he's merely never ever had the capacity to translate his common supremacy to sport's most significant stage.Djokovic gained 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 and Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a significant distinction than the best-of-five-sets used through guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun with the draw up until Nadal, the eventual gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award match, Djokovic beat James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had gained his initial significant title previously that period in Melbourne, couldn't hide his excitement after the match." [I am actually] really happy. I indicate, to gain any sort of medal in the Olympics is a large achievement for any type of athlete I think," Djokovic stated. "Few of the sportsmens get an opportunity to gain a medal. But also for me, this bronze, which I gained here, beams like a gold considering that I assume I have actually played good tennis all event." Djokovic additionally participated in increases together with Nenad Zimonjic, yet both dropped in the first round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Slam champ, was called Serbia's flag-bearer for the position event. He described it as "an out-of-body experience" and also a "substantial pleasure as well as accountability as well as honor." The competitors was kept at Wimbledon, where he had actually succeeded the label the year just before, however Djokovic shed to eventual gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in straight collections. Djokovic dropped again in the first round of increases, this time along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was particularly annoying, since he had won all 3 primary labels had that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the challenging court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the top seed (and also now a 12-time significant champion) but he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and Zimonjic lost in the second round of doubles.But no loss hurt tougher than in 2021. Competing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic showed up after succeeding all 3 of the year's Bangs. He got on a quest to join simply Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis gamers in past to obtain the "Golden Bang"-- all four primary labels and an Olympic singles gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- however once again-- Djokovic had his dreams shattered through resulting gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually simply taken the initial collection 6-1 yet at that point gained merely four games in the ultimate 2 sets. Factors got even worse in the bronze medal complement versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to manage his feelings, as well as abused his racket on various events. He shed the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then removed coming from the blended increases bronze-medal complement (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later on that same day, presenting a left shoulder personal injury. He had actually played 7 complements in 4 days across pulls as well as it appeared it had actually all caught up to him." I participated in under medications, incredible discomfort and also fatigue," Djokovic said.He never had the capacity to get his period completely back on track as well as lost in the final of the US Open full weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, thwarting his fine-tuned target of the calendar Conquest." [It] was actually also [an] emotionally really demanding time period for me in the last five, six months," Djokovic claimed after the reduction. "Bangs and also Olympics ... Whatever was actually coming together for me listed here as well as sort of building up all the emotional states that I have actually been via. Unfortunately I failed to create it in the ultimate step." DJOKOVIC NOW Goes Back To the Olympics in a significantly different position than he was in three years ago. Certainly not simply possesses he as yet to gain a Slam this period, but he's yet to win a headline of any kind of kind. It's his worst beginning to a season since 2006. While he stated he possesses no strategies to resign, he understands time is actually running out. He will definitely be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open and also the Olympic competition, might likewise prove difficult. He injured his leg throughout the French Open in June and also was pushed to remove before his quarterfinal match. He undertook surgical treatment for a torn medial crescent in his right knee on June 5, initially leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final previously this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany hypothesized he would certainly neglect the grass-court event to concentrate on his rehabilitation, and also continue instruction on clay-based ahead of the Olympics. But Djokovic arrived at the All England Club a week prior to the principal draw started. After many productive and also pain-free strategies, he played and went over throughout his run, showing couple of indications of distress or even interfered with action." If a person told me I will participate in [in the] Wimbledon ultimate three, 4 weeks earlier, I will take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have needed to promptly readjust to the red clay after investing recent month on turf. The surfaces couldn't be actually a lot more different-- the clay-based is considerably slower than the grass-- as well as the way gamers go on the courtroom is actually also. It will definitely be actually tricky for also those with no bodily afflictions or injuries. Perhaps partially because of this, Djokovic will only be playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be tired and somewhat dejected after the Wimbledon ultimate, he was actually not deterred." Let's observe exactly how actually as well as emotionally I'm heading to experience. With any luck I can find the correct ping pong because I'm heading to need all I have and also more to go to the final of the Olympic Video games.".