.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his dreadful loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was currently laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had just been beat by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his aspirations for a record-breaking 25th major name delayed. Yet it was clear he was making an effort to move on as swiftly as he might when he contacted media reporters at his press conference eventually that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Video Games as well as US Open are actually the two large goals for the remainder of the year for me definitely," Djokovic mentioned. "I am actually hoping I could be at my ideal [for] those 2 events. That's all I can point out at this moment." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response must rarely happen as a surprise considering his practically unmatched job and also he is actually the standing up for champ at the United States Open. But he has never quite possessed the same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Video games with just one award-- a singles bronze in 2008. So today, two full weeks after his frustrating coating at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris of what might be his ultimate Gamings, with his eyes bented on the a single thing that has outruned him throughout his famous occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Sunday with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He will definitely next play familiar adversary Rafael Nadal in the second shot in hopes of acquiring one measure nearer to his aspiration." [It's thus special to become] portion of the earliest sporting activities occasion in the record of sporting activity," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Federation in May. "Obviously gaining a gold award or even winning any type of award for my nation is actually an excellent want and dream. It is one of [my] biggest concerns as well as goals for [this] time, there is actually clear about that." THERE is actually LITTLE ELSE Djokovic hasn't achieved in tennis.Since transforming professional in 2003, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open 10 opportunities (one of the most through any kind of player outdoors era), and is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time United States Open champ and three-time French Open champ. He is actually tied with Margaret Court for the very most primary songs titles in the sporting activity's background, and he possesses one of the most in the Open era.Djokovic has actually succeeded 98 profession songs titles (and also one in multiplies) as well as has actually kept the planet No. 1 position for a combined 428 weeks-- yet another record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own 1st and also merely Davis Mug headline in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he eventually called "the most ideal feeling I ever had in my life as a tennis player." Yet while he's always discussed the amount of it implies to him to be capable to represent his country as well as how much he enjoys the encounter of the Olympic Games, he's simply never had the capacity to convert his typical domination to sporting activity's largest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his only Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching 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 difference than the best-of-five-sets used by guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun by means of the draw until Nadal, the ultimate gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal fit, Djokovic surpassed James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had actually won his first significant title previously that season in Melbourne, couldn't conceal his exhilaration after the complement." [I am actually] incredibly happy. I mean, to succeed any sort of medal in the Olympics is a big accomplishment for any kind of athlete I assume," Djokovic claimed. "Very few of the athletes obtain a chance to succeed a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I succeeded below, beams like a gold since I believe I have actually played pretty good ping pong all tournament." Djokovic also played increases alongside Nenad Zimonjic, but the pair dropped in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champ, was called Serbia's flag-bearer for the position service. He explained it as "an out-of-body adventure" as well as a "substantial enjoyment and also duty and also honor." The competitors was kept at Wimbledon, where he had won the label the year just before, yet Djokovic lost to ultimate gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in direct collections. Djokovic shed again in the preliminary of multiplies, this time with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually particularly frustrating, given that he had actually gained all three primary titles kept that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the hard court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the front runner (and right now a 12-time primary champ) however he was actually stunned through Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and Zimonjic lost in the 2nd sphere of doubles.But no reduction stung tougher than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic came in after gaining all three of the year's Slams. He was on a quest to join only Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis players in history to achieve the "Golden Slam"-- all four significant headlines as well as an Olympic songs gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his desires shattered by eventual gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had conveniently taken the first collection 6-1 yet at that point succeeded merely 4 video games in the last two collections. Factors got back at much worse in the bronze award complement versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to regulate his feelings, and also misused his racket on a number of occasions. He lost the complement 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and afterwards withdrew from the blended multiplies bronze-medal fit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later on that exact same day, presenting a left shoulder trauma. He had participated in 7 matches in 4 times around draws and it seemed it had actually all caught up to him." I participated in under medicines, incredible pain as well as exhaustion," Djokovic said.He never ever had the capacity to obtain his period entirely back on course and also lost in the ultimate of the US Open full weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, preventing his altered goal of the calendar Conquest." [It] was actually likewise [an] mentally extremely demanding time frame for me in the last 5, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the loss. "Slams and also Olympics ... Every little thing was integrating for me below and sort of collecting all the emotional states that I have actually been actually through. Unfortunately I really did not make it in the final measure." DJOKOVIC NOW Goes Back To the Olympics in a drastically various setting than he was in three years ago. Certainly not simply possesses he as yet to succeed a Slam this period, but he's as yet to gain a title of any kind of kind. It's his worst begin to a period since 2006. While he said he has no plannings to resign, he recognizes time is going out. He is going to be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And coming back to Roland Garros, the site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competition, could possibly likewise prove tough. He hurt his leg during the French Open in June and also was actually pushed to remove in front of his quarterfinal suit. He underwent surgical operation for a torn medial meniscus in his correct leg on June 5, at first leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic dropped to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the ultimate earlier this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany guessed he would certainly skip the grass-court event to concentrate on his rehab, and continue training on clay in advance of the Olympics. However Djokovic got to the All of England Nightclub a full week before the primary draw started. After numerous successful and pain-free techniques, he played as well as went over throughout his operate, presenting handful of indicators of soreness or interfered with action." If somebody informed me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon ultimate three, four full weeks earlier, I would certainly take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic and his peers have must quickly adjust to the red clay after devoting the past month on yard. The surfaces could not be actually even more various-- the clay-based is dramatically slower than the turf-- as well as the method players carry on the court is at the same time. It will be challenging for even those with no bodily afflictions or injuries. Possibly partially due to this, Djokovic will simply be playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic appeared weary and also slightly dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was actually certainly not deterred." Permit's observe how literally and psychologically I'm mosting likely to feel. Hopefully I can easily locate the best ping pong due to the fact that I'm mosting likely to need all I have and additional to go to the last of the Olympic Gamings.".