.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN 2 hours after his devastating loss in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was actually already laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually just been beat through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his desires for a record-breaking 25th primary title delayed. However it was actually clear he was actually attempting to carry on as rapidly as he might when he talked with press reporters at his news conference eventually that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Video Games as well as United States Open are the two huge goals for the rest of the year for me actually," Djokovic mentioned. "I'm hoping I could be at my absolute best [for] those pair of competitions. That is actually all I may state immediately." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response must hardly come as an unpleasant surprise considering his practically exceptional occupation which he is actually the speaking up for champ at the United States Open. But he has certainly never rather had the same success at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Gamings with simply one medal-- a single people bronze in 2008. Therefore now, 2 full weeks after his disappointing surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris wherefore might be his last Gamings, with his eyes set on the a single thing that has eluded him throughout his historic profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened play at Roland Garros on Saturday along with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will next participate in familiar enemy Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in hopes of receiving one action more detailed to his dream." [It is actually therefore unique to be] component of the earliest sporting activities activity in the past of sporting activity," Djokovic said to the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Naturally winning a gold medal or even gaining any award for my nation is actually a fantastic desire as well as dream. It is one of [my] greatest top priorities and also goals for [this] period, there is actually clear about that." THERE'S MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic hasn't attained in tennis.Since transforming specialist in 2003, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open 10 times (one of the most by any type of gamer in the Open period), as well as is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time United States Open champion as well as three-time French Open champ. He is actually tied along with Margaret Court for the most significant single people titles in the sport's history, as well as he has the absolute most in the Open era.Djokovic has gained 98 career single people titles (and one in multiplies) as well as has stored the world No. 1 rank for a bundled 428 weeks-- an additional history. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own very first as well as simply Davis Mug headline in Belgrade in 2010, something that he eventually got in touch with "the very best emotion I ever invited my lifestyle as a tennis player." Yet while he is actually constantly mentioned the amount of it indicates to him to be capable to embody his nation as well as the amount of he delights in the encounter of the Olympic Gamings, he's merely certainly never managed to equate his traditional prominence to sporting activity's largest stage.Djokovic succeeded the bronze in 2008-- his single Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a significant difference than the best-of-five-sets utilized by men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled by means of the draw up until Nadal, the resulting gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal fit, Djokovic beat James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had gained his initial major name previously that time in Melbourne, couldn't hide his excitement after the suit." [I'm] really satisfied. I mean, to win any type of medal in the Olympics is actually a significant achievement for any sort of professional athlete I think," Djokovic mentioned. "Very few of the professional athletes acquire a possibility to succeed an award. But also for me, this bronze, which I succeeded below, sparkles like a gold because I presume I've played decent ping pong all event." Djokovic additionally played multiplies together with Nenad Zimonjic, but both lost in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champion, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. He explained it as "an out-of-body expertise" and a "large pleasure and also accountability and also tribute." The competition was actually secured at Wimbledon, where he had actually won the title the year just before, however Djokovic dropped to eventual gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in direct collections. Djokovic shed again in the preliminary of multiplies, this moment with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually particularly irritating, since he had actually gained all 3 major labels kept that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years eventually the challenging court in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (and now a 12-time significant champ) however he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and also Zimonjic lost in the second round of doubles.But no loss hurt more challenging than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic arrived after succeeding all three of the year's Bangs. He got on a mission to join just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong players in background to accomplish the "Golden Bang"-- all 4 major headlines as well as an Olympic songs gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however once more-- Djokovic had his desires shattered by possible gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had actually quickly taken the first set 6-1 but at that point won merely four games in the ultimate 2 sets. Points got even worse in the bronze award match versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to handle his emotions, as well as abused his racket on several affairs. He lost the suit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then took out coming from the combined doubles bronze-medal complement (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start eventually that same time, citing a nigh side shoulder personal injury. He had participated in seven suits in 4 times throughout draws and it seemed it had all caught up to him." I participated in under medications, amazing ache and also exhaustion," Djokovic said.He never was able to obtain his time entirely back on course and shed in the final of the US Open weeks later on to Daniil Medvedev, thwarting his adjusted goal of the schedule Conquest." [It] was likewise [an] emotionally quite demanding period for me in the last 5, six months," Djokovic claimed after the reduction. "Bangs and Olympics ... Every thing was actually coming together for me right here as well as kind of accumulating all the emotions that I have actually been actually through. Unfortunately I didn't create it in the ultimate action." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a drastically various placement than he remained in 3 years earlier. Not just possesses he as yet to gain a Bang this period, yet he's yet to gain a headline of any type of kind. It's his worst start to a period because 2006. While he claimed he has no strategies to retire, he recognizes opportunity is ending. He will certainly be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And returning to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competitors, could possibly likewise verify tough. He harmed his leg in the course of the French Open in June and was forced to remove in front of his quarterfinal suit. He went through surgical procedure for a torn median meniscus in his right knee on June 5, initially leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the ultimate earlier this month, and also in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany speculated he would certainly pass up the grass-court tournament to pay attention to his rehabilitation, and also continue training on clay in advance of the Olympics. However Djokovic reached the All England Nightclub a week before the major draw started. After several successful and also pain-free techniques, he participated in and went over throughout his operate, showing couple of indicators of discomfort or hampered motion." If somebody informed me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon final 3, 4 weeks ago, I will take it for certain," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have actually needed to rapidly readjust to the red clay after devoting recent month on lawn. The areas could not be actually extra various-- the clay is considerably slower than the grass-- and also the method players go on the courtroom is actually too. It is going to be complicated for even those without physical health problems or personal injuries. Perhaps partly due to this, Djokovic is going to only be playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed worn out and a little dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was certainly not deterred." Let's view just how actually and also psychologically I'm heading to really feel. Ideally I can locate the ideal tennis due to the fact that I'm visiting need all I have as well as more to head to the final of the Olympic Gamings.".