.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN pair of hours after his disastrous reduction in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was presently laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had merely been actually beat by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th significant title held off. Yet it was actually very clear he was attempting to go on as swiftly as he can when he talked to press reporters at his press conference later on that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Video Games and US Open are the 2 big objectives for the rest of the year for me really," Djokovic said. "I'm wishing I may be at my ideal [for] those 2 tournaments. That is actually all I may mention at this moment." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer need to hardly come as an unpleasant surprise considering his basically unequaled job and that he's the speaking up for champion at the US Open. However he has never ever pretty had the same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Games with only one award-- a songs bronze in 2008. So right now, two weeks after his frustrating appearance at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what might be his ultimate Gamings, along with his eyes bented on the one thing that has actually eluded him throughout his famous occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened play at Roland Garros on Saturday along with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He will definitely next play familiar foe Rafael Nadal in the 2nd shot in chances of getting one step more detailed to his aspiration." [It's therefore unique to become] part of the oldest sports event in the record of sport," Djokovic told the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Naturally winning a gold medal or gaining any medal for my country is actually a fantastic want as well as yearning. It is just one of [my] biggest priorities as well as goals for [this] season, there is obvious regarding that." THERE'S BIT ELSE Djokovic hasn't obtained in tennis.Since switching expert in 2003, Djokovic has actually gained the Australian Open 10 times (the best by any player in the Open era), and is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time US Open champion as well as three-time French Open champ. He is matched along with Margaret Courthouse for the most significant single people labels in the sporting activity's background, and he possesses the best in the Open era.Djokovic has actually won 98 career songs headlines (and also one in doubles) and also has kept the globe No. 1 rank for a bundled 428 full weeks-- one more record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its own 1st and also just Davis Cup label in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later on got in touch with "the very best feeling I ever before invited my lifestyle as a ping pong player." Yet while he's always mentioned how much it indicates to him to be capable to exemplify his nation and how much he delights in the encounter of the Olympic Video games, he's simply certainly never had the capacity to convert his regular prominence to sporting activity's biggest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his sole Olympic medal. 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 style-- a significant difference than the best-of-five-sets made use of by men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun via the draw until Nadal, the ultimate gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award match, Djokovic bested James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had actually gained his first primary name earlier that period in Melbourne, could not hide his enthusiasm after the match." [I am actually] very pleased. I suggest, to gain any kind of award in the Olympics is a substantial accomplishment for any sort of professional athlete I think," Djokovic mentioned. "Not many of the athletes obtain a possibility to gain an award. But for me, this bronze, which I gained listed below, beams like a gold because I presume I have actually participated in good ping pong all competition." Djokovic additionally participated in multiplies alongside Nenad Zimonjic, but both dropped in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, then a five-time Bang champ, was actually named Serbia's flag-bearer for the position ceremony. He illustrated it as "an out-of-body knowledge" and also a "large delight and duty and tribute." The competitors was actually kept at Wimbledon, where he had gained the label the year prior to, however Djokovic shed to resulting gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in straight collections. Djokovic dropped again in the preliminary of doubles, this time around with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was particularly irritating, considering that he had actually gained all three major titles held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the challenging court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the top seed (and right now a 12-time major champion) but he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and Zimonjic dropped in the second around of doubles.But no reduction stung more difficult than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic showed up after succeeding all three of the year's Bangs. He got on a mission to participate in merely Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in record to attain the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 major labels as well as an Olympic single people gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his aspirations slammed through resulting gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had actually conveniently taken the initial set 6-1 however after that succeeded merely four activities in the final two sets. Things got even worse in the bronze medal complement against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to regulate his emotional states, as well as misused his racket on a number of events. He shed the suit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then removed from the mixed increases bronze-medal suit (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later on that same day, presenting a remaining shoulder trauma. He had actually played seven fits in four times throughout attracts as well as it seemed it had all reached him." I played under medications, astounding discomfort as well as tiredness," Djokovic said.He never ever managed to get his season fully back on course and shed in the ultimate of the United States Open weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, preventing his adjusted target of the schedule Grand Slam." [It] was also [an] emotionally very requiring period for me in the last five, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the loss. "Slams and Olympics ... Everything was actually collaborating for me listed below and also type of accumulating all the feelings that I have actually been via. Sadly I failed to make it in the last action." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a substantially various setting than he was in 3 years earlier. Certainly not simply possesses he yet to gain a Bang this season, but he is actually yet to gain a headline of any type of kind. It's his worst start to a season due to the fact that 2006. While he said he possesses no programs to retire, he recognizes time is running out. He will definitely be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And returning to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open and the Olympic competition, might additionally prove tough. He injured his leg during the course of the French Open in June and also was forced to withdraw in advance of his quarterfinal suit. He underwent surgical treatment for a torn median crescent in his right knee on June 5, originally leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic shed to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final earlier this month, and also in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany hypothesized he would neglect the grass-court competition to concentrate on his rehabilitation, and proceed training on clay in front of the Olympics. But Djokovic came to the All of England Club a full week just before the principal draw started. After several prosperous and pain-free strategies, he participated in as well as was impressive throughout his run, showing couple of indications of soreness or obstructed activity." If somebody informed me I would play [in the] Wimbledon last 3, 4 weeks ago, I would certainly take it for certain," he said.Djokovic and his peers have must promptly adjust to the red clay after devoting recent month on lawn. The areas could not be a lot more various-- the clay-based is actually dramatically slower than the lawn-- as well as the means players go on the court is too. It will certainly be complicated for even those without any bodily conditions or even injuries. Perhaps partly as a result of this, Djokovic is going to simply be playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic appeared worn out as well as somewhat dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was not hindered." Allow's see how actually and also psychologically I am actually visiting really feel. With any luck I may locate the appropriate tennis given that I am actually going to require all I have as well as additional to visit the ultimate of the Olympic Video games.".