.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his terrible reduction in the Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic was presently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually just been beat through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th primary title held off. However it was actually very clear he was actually making an effort to carry on as quickly as he could possibly when he talked to media reporters at his news conference later on that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Gamings and United States Open are actually both large goals for the rest of the year for me truly," Djokovic mentioned. "I'm hoping I could be at my absolute best [for] those pair of competitions. That is actually all I can easily mention today." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer should rarely happen as a surprise considering his basically unmatched occupation which he is actually the standing up for champ at the US Open. But he possesses never fairly possessed the same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Games with only one award-- a singles bronze in 2008. Therefore now, two weeks after his disappointing finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris of what may be his ultimate Video games, with his eyes set on the one point that has avoided him throughout his historical profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up dip into Roland Garros on Saturday with a prodding 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Matthew Ebden. He will next play familiar opponent Rafael Nadal in the 2nd shot in chances of acquiring one action closer to his goal." [It's so unique to become] aspect of the oldest sporting activities activity in the history of sport," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Federation in May. "Naturally winning a gold medal or gaining any kind of award for my nation is a wonderful dream as well as want. It is just one of [my] biggest top priorities and also goals for [this] season, there is no secret concerning that." THERE'S MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic have not obtained in tennis.Since transforming specialist in 2003, Djokovic has actually gained the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the absolute most through any kind of player in the Open era), as well as is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time US Open champion and also three-time French Open champ. He is actually tied along with Margaret Courtroom for the very most significant singles labels in the sporting activity's history, and also he has the best in the Open era.Djokovic has won 98 occupation single people labels (as well as one in multiplies) as well as has actually stored the world No. 1 rank for a consolidated 428 weeks-- yet another record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own 1st and also simply Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later called "the best emotion I ever before had in my lifestyle as a ping pong gamer." However while he is actually constantly referred to the amount of it implies to him to be capable to embody his country and also how much he takes pleasure in the take in of the Olympic Gamings, he is actually simply never managed to translate his regular supremacy to sporting activity's largest stage.Djokovic gained 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, responsible for Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a marked variation than the best-of-five-sets made use of by men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled via the draw until Nadal, the ultimate gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award complement, Djokovic surpassed James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had gained his very first primary title previously that period in Melbourne, couldn't conceal his pleasure after the complement." [I'm] incredibly happy. I indicate, to succeed any kind of award in the Olympics is a massive success for any kind of sportsmen I think," Djokovic said. "Few of the athletes obtain an opportunity to succeed a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I succeeded listed here, sparkles like a gold since I believe I have actually played fair ping pong all event." Djokovic likewise participated in doubles along with Nenad Zimonjic, yet the pair lost in the first round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champion, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening service. He described it as "an out-of-body knowledge" and also a "substantial pleasure and accountability and respect." The competition was actually held at Wimbledon, where he had gained the label the year before, but Djokovic shed to resulting gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in direct collections. Djokovic dropped once more in the first round of multiplies, this time around along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually especially frustrating, given that he had actually won all 3 significant titles held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the tough court of law in Rio, Djokovic was actually the front runner (and also currently a 12-time primary champion) however he was stunned through Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic as well as Zimonjic lost in the second around of doubles.But no loss hurt tougher than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic got here after gaining all 3 of the year's Bangs. He performed a quest to sign up with simply Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in background to achieve the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 primary labels and also an Olympic single people gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- however once again-- Djokovic had his goals dashed by ultimate gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had quickly taken the first set 6-1 however at that point won simply 4 activities in the last pair of collections. Things got even much worse in the bronze medal suit versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic strained to handle his emotions, and misused his racket on several affairs. He shed the suit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and after that took out coming from the blended multiplies bronze-medal match (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later that same day, citing a nigh side shoulder accident. He had actually participated in 7 complements in 4 times throughout attracts and it appeared it had actually all caught up to him." I played under medicines, astonishing ache and also exhaustion," Djokovic said.He never had the capacity to acquire his season totally back on course as well as shed in the last of the United States Open weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, obstructing his modified target of the schedule Grand Slam." [It] was additionally [an] emotionally very demanding period for me in the final five, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the loss. "Bangs and Olympics ... Every thing was actually coming together for me listed here as well as type of gathering all the feelings that I have actually been actually by means of. However I really did not make it in the ultimate measure." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a radically different position than he resided in three years earlier. Not merely possesses he yet to succeed a Bang this period, yet he is actually yet to win a label of any type of kind. It's his worst begin to a period considering that 2006. While he mentioned he possesses no strategies to retire, he understands time is actually going out. He will definitely be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And returning to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open and the Olympic competitors, might additionally show daunting. He harmed his leg throughout the French Open in June and also was actually pushed to remove before his quarterfinal suit. He went through surgery for a torn medial curve in his right knee on June 5, at first leaving his status for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final previously this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany speculated he will skip the grass-court competition to focus on his rehab, and also proceed instruction on clay-based in advance of the Olympics. But Djokovic reached the All of England Nightclub a full week just before the major draw began. After several productive and also pain-free practices, he played as well as went over throughout his operate, presenting couple of indications of discomfort or even hindered motion." If somebody told me I would play [in the] Wimbledon last 3, 4 full weeks earlier, I would certainly take it for sure," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have actually had to rapidly adjust to the reddish clay after investing the past month on grass. The areas could not be actually extra different-- the clay is actually dramatically slower than the yard-- and the technique gamers carry on the court is actually also. It will certainly be actually tricky for even those without any bodily ailments or even traumas. Maybe in part because of this, Djokovic is going to just be actually playing in single people at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be weary and a little dejected after the Wimbledon ultimate, he was not discouraged." Permit's observe just how physically and also psychologically I am actually heading to feel. With any luck I can find the correct ping pong since I am actually going to require all I have as well as additional to go to the ultimate of the Olympic Games.".