.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN 2 hours after his disastrous reduction in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was actually already laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had just been actually defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his aspirations for a record-breaking 25th significant title delayed. But it was actually clear he was actually trying to proceed as promptly as he could when he talked with media reporters at his press conference later that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Games and also United States Open are actually both major targets for the rest of the year for me actually," Djokovic said. "I am actually hoping I may be at my ideal [for] those pair of competitions. That is actually all I may state now." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer must hardly come as an unpleasant surprise considering his basically unrivaled profession and also he's the defending champion at the US Open. However he possesses never rather had the exact same success at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Games with simply one medal-- a singles bronze in 2008. Therefore today, 2 full weeks after his unsatisfying finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris wherefore could be his ultimate Gamings, along with his eyes set on the a single thing that has outruned him throughout his historical profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened dip into Roland Garros on Saturday along with an effective 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He will next participate in familiar opponent Rafael Nadal in the 2nd shot in hopes of obtaining one action closer to his dream." [It is actually therefore special to become] aspect of the oldest sports activity in the record of sport," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Certainly gaining a gold medal or even gaining any sort of award for my country is a terrific wish and desire. It is one of [my] greatest concerns as well as goals for [this] period, there is clear regarding that." THERE is actually BIT ELSE Djokovic have not obtained in tennis.Since switching qualified in 2003, Djokovic has actually won the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the absolute most through any player outdoors era), and is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champ as well as three-time French Open champ. He is actually matched with Margaret Courtroom for the very most primary songs labels in the sporting activity's past, and also he has one of the most in the Open era.Djokovic has actually gained 98 occupation songs titles (as well as one in increases) as well as has stored the planet No. 1 rank for a combined 428 weeks-- one more history. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own 1st and also merely Davis Mug headline in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he eventually got in touch with "the very best sensation I ever before invited my life as a ping pong player." Yet while he's regularly discussed just how much it means to him to become able to represent his country and just how much he takes pleasure in the encounter of the Olympic Games, he's just certainly never managed to convert his common dominance to sporting activity's greatest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his single Olympic award. 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 distinction than the best-of-five-sets used through guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled through the draw up until Nadal, the eventual gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award fit, Djokovic topped James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had actually gained his initial major name previously that season in Melbourne, could not conceal his enjoyment after the match." [I am actually] really delighted. I imply, to win any sort of medal in the Olympics is actually a big success for any sportsmen I believe," Djokovic claimed. "Not many of the athletes get an opportunity to succeed a medal. But also for me, this bronze, which I gained right here, radiates like a gold since I think I've participated in pretty good tennis all event." Djokovic likewise participated in doubles alongside Nenad Zimonjic, however the pair dropped in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, then a five-time Slam champion, was named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening service. He described it as "an out-of-body experience" and a "big delight and also task and also honor." The competition was held at Wimbledon, where he had actually succeeded the title the year before, however Djokovic dropped to possible 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 once more in the preliminary of doubles, this moment with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually specifically aggravating, considering that he had won all 3 primary headlines kept that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years in the future the challenging court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (and also now a 12-time significant champ) however he was stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic as well as Zimonjic dropped in the 2nd sphere of doubles.But no loss hurt more challenging than in 2021. Competing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic got here after winning all 3 of the year's Slams. He was on a quest to participate in only Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in past history to attain the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 primary titles as well as an Olympic single people gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- yet once more-- Djokovic had his desires dashed by ultimate gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had effortlessly taken the initial collection 6-1 but at that point won just 4 video games in the ultimate 2 collections. Traits got back at much worse in the bronze award fit against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to handle his emotional states, and also misused his racket on a number of celebrations. He dropped the complement 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then removed coming from the mixed doubles bronze-medal match (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start eventually that exact same day, pointing out a left shoulder injury. He had actually played seven complements in 4 days around pulls as well as it appeared it had all caught up to him." I played under medicines, astounding discomfort and also exhaustion," Djokovic said.He certainly never was able to acquire his time completely back on the right track and lost in the final of the US Open weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, combating his adjusted objective of the schedule Grand Slam." [It] was actually likewise [an] psychologically extremely demanding time frame for me in the final five, six months," Djokovic mentioned after the reduction. "Bangs and Olympics ... Everything was collaborating for me listed below and also sort of accumulating all the feelings that I have actually been through. Regrettably I failed to make it in the final step." DJOKOVIC NOW Goes Back To the Olympics in a substantially different placement than he resided in 3 years back. Certainly not simply has he yet to gain a Slam this time, however he is actually yet to succeed a label of any sort of kind. It's his worst start to a period since 2006. While he stated he has no strategies to resign, he recognizes time is actually running out. He will certainly be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And coming back to Roland Garros, the website of the French Open as well as the Olympic competition, can additionally prove tough. He hurt his knee during the French Open in June as well as was pushed to take out before his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgical operation for a torn median meniscus in his appropriate leg on June 5, at first leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final previously this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany supposed he will pass up the grass-court competition to pay attention to his rehab, as well as proceed training on clay before the Olympics. Yet Djokovic arrived at the All of England Club a full week just before the major draw began. After several successful and pain-free practices, he participated in as well as was impressive throughout his operate, showing few indications of discomfort or even hampered action." If someone informed me I would participate in [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 actually must quickly adjust to the red clay after devoting the past month on yard. The surface areas couldn't be actually even more various-- the clay is actually considerably slower than the grass-- and also the technique players move on the court is actually also. It is going to be challenging for even those with no bodily disorders or even traumas. Perhaps partly as a result of this, Djokovic will merely be actually playing in songs at these Games.But while Djokovic appeared worn out and somewhat dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was actually not put off." Permit's see how physically and also mentally I'm going to experience. Perhaps I can easily discover the right tennis due to the fact that I'm visiting require all I have and more to head to the ultimate of the Olympic Games.".