.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his damaging loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was actually laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had merely been defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th primary name delayed. But it was clear he was trying to proceed as rapidly as he might when he contacted reporters at his news conference later on that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Games and United States Open are actually the 2 huge targets for the remainder of the year for me really," Djokovic said. "I'm hoping I may be at my ideal [for] those pair of competitions. That is actually all I can claim now." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response ought to hardly happen as a shock considering his virtually unparalleled occupation and also he is actually the speaking up for champion at the US Open. But he possesses never ever fairly possessed the same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Gamings along with simply one award-- a singles bronze in 2008. Therefore right now, 2 full weeks after his unsatisfying coating at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris for what may be his last Games, with his eyes set on the the main thing that has actually shunned him throughout his historic career: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened play at Roland Garros on Saturday with a persuading 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Matthew Ebden. He will next play acquainted enemy Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in hopes of receiving one measure more detailed to his desire." [It is actually therefore unique to become] portion of the earliest sports event in the past history of sporting activity," Djokovic informed the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Of course winning a gold medal or even gaining any sort of medal for my nation is a terrific desire as well as wish. It is among [my] best top priorities and also goals for [this] time, there is clear concerning that." THERE'S LITTLE ELSE Djokovic hasn't obtained in tennis.Since switching specialist in 2003, Djokovic has actually succeeded the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the absolute most through any player in the Open period), and is a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time US Open champ and three-time French Open champ. He is actually tied with Margaret Court for the most primary single people titles in the sport's background, and also he possesses one of the most outdoors era.Djokovic has gained 98 occupation singles headlines (and one in doubles) as well as has stored the planet No. 1 ranking for a combined 428 weeks-- yet another track record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own initial and only Davis Mug title in Belgrade in 2010, something that he eventually got in touch with "the greatest sensation I ever before had in my life as a tennis gamer." But while he's constantly referred to just how much it suggests to him to become able to represent his nation as well as how much he appreciates the encounter of the Olympic Games, he's just never managed to translate his traditional prominence to sport's largest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his lone Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer as well as Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets style-- a significant difference than the best-of-five-sets utilized through men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled by means of the draw till Nadal, the possible gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award complement, Djokovic beat James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had actually gained his very first major title previously that season in Melbourne, could not hide his exhilaration after the suit." [I'm] quite pleased. I mean, to win any kind of medal in the Olympics is actually a significant achievement for any type of professional athlete I believe," Djokovic mentioned. "Few of the athletes obtain a chance to win an award. However, for me, this bronze, which I won listed below, sparkles like a gold since I believe I've participated in fair ping pong all event." Djokovic likewise participated in increases together with Nenad Zimonjic, however the pair shed in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Slam champ, was actually named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. He defined it as "an out-of-body experience" and a "substantial satisfaction as well as responsibility and also honor." The competitors was held at Wimbledon, where he had actually gained the title the year before, yet Djokovic shed to ultimate gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in direct sets. Djokovic shed once again in the first round of doubles, this time along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was particularly irritating, due to the fact that he had actually gained all three primary titles held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years eventually the hard court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the front runner (and also right now a 12-time major champ) however he was actually stunned through Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic as well as Zimonjic dropped in the second around of doubles.But no reduction hurt more challenging than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic arrived after gaining all 3 of the year's Slams. He got on a pursuit to join just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong players in past to achieve the "Golden Slam"-- all four major labels and an Olympic songs gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his aspirations dashed by possible gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had conveniently taken the very first set 6-1 yet then won just 4 activities in the last two collections. Traits evened the score worse in the bronze award fit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to handle his feelings, and also misused his racket on multiple occasions. He lost the suit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then removed from the blended increases bronze-medal match (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later on that same day, pointing out a left side shoulder personal injury. He had played seven suits in four days throughout attracts and it appeared it had all caught up to him." I played under medications, astounding discomfort and also exhaustion," Djokovic said.He certainly never had the capacity to receive his period completely back on course and shed in the last of the US Open full weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, combating his altered goal of the schedule Grand Slam." [It] was also [an] psychologically quite requiring duration for me in the last 5, six months," Djokovic said after the loss. "Bangs and Olympics ... Every little thing was actually coming together for me listed here as well as type of collecting all the feelings that I've been actually with. Sadly I really did not create it in the ultimate measure." DJOKOVIC NOW Goes Back To the Olympics in a significantly various position than he was in 3 years earlier. Certainly not only has he yet to gain a Bang this time, however he is actually yet to win a headline of any kind of kind. It's his worst begin to a time given that 2006. While he stated he possesses no programs to resign, he knows time is ending. He will certainly be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the website of the French Open as well as the Olympic competition, might additionally show difficult. He hurt his knee throughout the French Open in June and was forced to withdraw ahead of his quarterfinal match. He went through surgery for a torn median crescent in his correct knee on June 5, at first leaving his status 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 supposed he will skip the grass-court competition to pay attention to his treatment, and carry on training on clay-based ahead of the Olympics. Yet Djokovic arrived at the All of England Club a week just before the primary draw started. After numerous prosperous and also pain-free methods, he played and was impressive throughout his run, presenting handful of signs of distress or hindered activity." If someone told me I will play [in the] Wimbledon final three, 4 full weeks earlier, I would certainly take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have must quickly alter to the red clay-based after spending recent month on turf. The areas couldn't be actually much more different-- the clay-based is substantially slower than the yard-- as well as the means players proceed the courtroom is actually at the same time. It will be actually challenging for also those without any bodily disorders or personal injuries. Maybe in part due to this, Djokovic is going to simply be actually playing in songs at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed worn out and a little dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was actually certainly not prevented." Let's find just how literally and also psychologically I am actually going to feel. With any luck I can easily discover the appropriate tennis considering that I am actually mosting likely to need all I have as well as more to visit the ultimate of the Olympic Video games.".