.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN 2 hrs after his damaging reduction in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was currently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had just been beat through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th primary title postponed. But it was actually very clear he was actually attempting to move on as rapidly as he could when he spoke with press reporters at his news conference eventually that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Games and also United States Open are actually both significant objectives for the rest of the year for me really," Djokovic said. "I'm hoping I can be at my greatest [for] those two competitions. That's all I can easily mention today." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution need to rarely happen as an unpleasant surprise considering his virtually unparalleled profession and also he is actually the speaking up for champ at the United States Open. Yet he has never ever very possessed the same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games with just one award-- a singles bronze in 2008. So now, 2 weeks after his unsatisfying finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris wherefore might be his last Video games, along with his eyes bented on the one thing that has thwarted him throughout his historic profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened play at Roland Garros on Saturday along with an effective 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Matthew Ebden. He will next play acquainted adversary Rafael Nadal in the second round in chances of obtaining one action nearer to his goal." [It is actually therefore unique to become] part of the oldest sports activity in the background of sport," Djokovic told the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Of course gaining a gold award or even gaining any kind of medal for my country is an excellent desire as well as want. It is just one of [my] biggest top priorities and also goals for [this] time, there is actually no secret regarding that." THERE'S MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic hasn't obtained in tennis.Since transforming expert in 2003, Djokovic has actually won the Australian Open 10 times (the best by any type of player outdoors age), as well as is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time US Open champion and three-time French Open champion. He is matched with Margaret Courtroom for the most significant singles titles in the sporting activity's record, as well as he has the best in the Open era.Djokovic has gained 98 occupation songs titles (and one in multiplies) and has actually stored the world No. 1 position for a combined 428 weeks-- another record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its own first and also only Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later on called "the most ideal feeling I ever before invited my lifestyle as a ping pong gamer." But while he is actually always mentioned just how much it suggests to him to become able to exemplify his country and the amount of he takes pleasure in the take in of the Olympic Gamings, he is actually just certainly never had the ability to convert his traditional authority to sporting activity's largest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his sole Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a marked variation than the best-of-five-sets made use of through males in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled with the draw up until Nadal, the eventual gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal complement, Djokovic outdoed James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had actually gained his 1st major name earlier that time in Melbourne, couldn't hide his excitement after the suit." [I am actually] quite delighted. I suggest, to gain any type of medal in the Olympics is a massive accomplishment for any type of sportsmen I believe," Djokovic mentioned. "Not many of the athletes receive an opportunity to win a medal. But also for me, this bronze, which I succeeded listed here, beams like a gold due to the fact that I presume I've played respectable ping pong all event." Djokovic also participated in multiplies along with Nenad Zimonjic, but both lost in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Bang champion, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening service. He explained it as "an out-of-body experience" and a "large delight as well as accountability as well as tribute." The competitors was actually secured at Wimbledon, where he had gained the label the year prior to, however Djokovic dropped to ultimate gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct collections. Djokovic shed once again in the preliminary of increases, this time along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was especially discouraging, because he had actually succeeded all three primary labels had that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later the tough court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the top seed (and also right now a 12-time significant champion) however he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic as well as Zimonjic dropped in the second round of doubles.But no loss stung more difficult than in 2021. Competing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic came in after winning all three of the year's Slams. He was on a journey to join simply Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in background to obtain the "Golden Slam"-- all four significant headlines and also an Olympic songs gold in the very same season.But in the semifinals-- however once more-- Djokovic had his aspirations dashed through eventual gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had easily taken the very first collection 6-1 however then gained simply four video games in the ultimate pair of sets. Factors got even worse in the bronze medal suit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to control his emotions, as well as abused his racket on several events. He shed the fit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and afterwards removed coming from the combined multiplies bronze-medal match (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start eventually that same time, presenting a left shoulder trauma. He had actually participated in 7 complements in 4 times across draws as well as it seemed it had all caught up to him." I participated in under medications, amazing ache and tiredness," Djokovic said.He never ever had the capacity to get his period fully back on course and also dropped in the last of the US Open weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, obstructing his altered goal of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was likewise [an] mentally very demanding time period for me in the last 5, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the loss. "Slams as well as Olympics ... Every thing was integrating for me here and kind of gathering all the emotional states that I've been actually via. However I didn't create it in the ultimate action." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a radically different posture than he remained in three years ago. Certainly not only possesses he as yet to gain a Slam this period, but he's yet to succeed a title of any kind of kind. It's his worst beginning to a season due to the fact that 2006. While he claimed he has no plannings to retire, he understands time is running out. He will be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And returning to Roland Garros, the site of the French Open and also the Olympic competitors, could additionally verify demanding. He harmed his knee during the French Open in June and was forced to remove ahead of his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgical operation for a torn medial crescent in his best leg on June 5, in the beginning leaving his status for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic shed to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final earlier this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany supposed he will neglect the grass-court tournament to pay attention to his treatment, and also carry on training on clay before the Olympics. However Djokovic reached the All England Club a week before the principal draw began. After several successful and also pain-free methods, he participated in and also was impressive throughout his operate, showing handful of indications of pain or interfered with movement." If a person told me I would certainly participate in [in the] Wimbledon ultimate three, 4 weeks earlier, I will take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have must promptly readjust to the reddish clay after devoting recent month on yard. The surface areas couldn't be much more various-- the clay-based is actually dramatically slower than the grass-- as well as the technique players go on the court is actually too. It will be actually difficult for even those without bodily ailments or even injuries. Possibly partially as a result of this, Djokovic will simply be actually playing in songs at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be weary and also a little dejected after the Wimbledon ultimate, he was not deterred." Permit's see exactly how physically as well as emotionally I'm visiting experience. Ideally I can discover the correct tennis because I am actually heading to require all I have and also more to visit the last of the Olympic Gamings.".