.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his disastrous loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was presently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had simply been defeated through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th primary name held off. Yet it was clear he was actually trying to proceed as promptly as he can when he spoke with reporters at his press conference later on that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Video Games as well as United States Open are actually both major targets for the remainder of the year for me really," Djokovic claimed. "I am actually wishing I could be at my finest [for] those two tournaments. That's all I can easily mention now." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer must hardly happen as an unpleasant surprise considering his virtually unrivaled occupation and that he is actually the speaking up for champ at the US Open. However he possesses never ever fairly possessed the exact same results at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Gamings along with just one medal-- a singles bronze in 2008. Thus right now, two full weeks after his frustrating finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris of what may be his last Games, along with his eyes bented on the one point that has eluded him throughout his historical profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Saturday along with a persuading 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will definitely next participate in acquainted enemy Rafael Nadal in the second shot in chances of acquiring one step closer to his goal." [It is actually so special to be] portion of the oldest sporting activities celebration in the past of sport," Djokovic said to the International Ping pong Federation in May. "Obviously succeeding a gold award or gaining any sort of award for my nation is actually a wonderful dream and also desire. It is among [my] ultimate concerns and targets for [this] time, there is no secret concerning that." THERE'S BIT ELSE Djokovic hasn't accomplished in tennis.Since transforming specialist in 2003, Djokovic has won the Australian Open 10 times (the most by any sort of player in the Open period), and is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time United States Open champ and three-time French Open champ. He is tied with Margaret Courtroom for the very most major singles titles in the sporting activity's history, and also he has the most outdoors era.Djokovic has actually succeeded 98 career singles labels (and one in increases) and has stored the world No. 1 ranking for a mixed 428 full weeks-- an additional track record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its initial and simply Davis Mug headline in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later on called "the most ideal sensation I ever invited my lifestyle as a ping pong gamer." However while he's regularly referred to just how much it indicates to him to become capable to exemplify his country and the amount of he enjoys the experience of the Olympic Games, he's simply certainly never had the ability to equate his regular domination to sporting activity's largest stage.Djokovic succeeded the bronze in 2008-- his only Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer as well as Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a significant difference than the best-of-five-sets made use of by guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled with the draw until Nadal, the possible gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award suit, Djokovic topped James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had gained his first primary name previously that time in Melbourne, could not conceal his enjoyment after the match." [I am actually] quite satisfied. I suggest, to gain any sort of award in the Olympics is actually a large achievement for any kind of athlete I assume," Djokovic mentioned. "Very few of the athletes get an opportunity to gain a medal. But also for me, this bronze, which I gained listed below, beams like a gold considering that I assume I have actually participated in fair ping pong all competition." Djokovic additionally played doubles together with Nenad Zimonjic, however the pair lost in the 1st round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champ, was actually named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. He explained it as "an out-of-body adventure" and a "large satisfaction and also obligation and also honor." The competitors was held at Wimbledon, where he had actually gained the label the year prior to, yet Djokovic dropped to ultimate gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in straight collections. Djokovic lost once again in the first round of doubles, this moment along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was specifically aggravating, given that he had actually won all three primary titles kept that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the challenging court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the front runner (and now a 12-time primary champ) yet he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and Zimonjic lost in the second round of doubles.But no reduction hurt harder than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Video games, Djokovic showed up after succeeding all 3 of the year's Bangs. He was on a mission to participate in just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong gamers in past to attain the "Golden Slam"-- all four significant labels and an Olympic singles gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- yet once more-- Djokovic had his desires beat through resulting gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had actually easily taken the 1st collection 6-1 however at that point gained only four games in the ultimate 2 collections. Points got back at worse in the bronze award fit against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to handle his feelings, as well as abused his racket on several events. He dropped the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and afterwards took out coming from the blended increases bronze-medal match (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later that same time, presenting a nigh side shoulder personal injury. He had actually played 7 matches in four times around draws as well as it seemed it had all reached him." I participated in under medications, incredible discomfort and also tiredness," Djokovic said.He certainly never was able to receive his period totally back on course and also shed in the last of the United States Open full weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, thwarting his adjusted objective of the calendar Conquest." [It] was actually also [an] psychologically incredibly asking for duration for me in the last 5, 6 months," Djokovic said after the loss. "Slams and also Olympics ... Everything was coming together for me listed here and also type of collecting all the emotional states that I've been actually through. Sadly I failed to create it in the ultimate step." DJOKOVIC NOW Goes Back To the Olympics in a substantially different posture than he remained in three years ago. Certainly not simply possesses he as yet to win a Slam this time, however he's yet to win a headline of any kind. It's his worst beginning to a season due to the fact that 2006. While he claimed he has no programs to retire, he knows time is ending. He will certainly be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open and also the Olympic competitors, could possibly also verify challenging. He wounded his leg during the course of the French Open in June and also was forced to withdraw before his quarterfinal suit. He underwent surgical treatment for a torn median curve in his correct knee on June 5, originally leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the last earlier this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany speculated he would leave out the grass-court event to pay attention to his rehab, and also proceed training on clay-based in advance of the Olympics. However Djokovic got to the All of England Club a full week prior to the main draw started. After many successful and pain-free strategies, he participated in as well as went over throughout his run, showing handful of signs of pain or interfered with motion." If somebody told me I will participate in [in the] Wimbledon final 3, four weeks back, I would take it for sure," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have must promptly adjust to the red clay-based after investing the past month on grass. The areas couldn't be more various-- the clay-based is considerably slower than the lawn-- and the means players proceed the courthouse is actually too. It will definitely be actually difficult for even those without bodily disorders or even injuries. Perhaps in part because of this, Djokovic is going to just be playing in songs at these Games.But while Djokovic appeared weary as well as a little dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was not deterred." Allow's view exactly how literally as well as psychologically I am actually visiting experience. With any luck I can easily find the ideal ping pong given that I am actually visiting require all I possess as well as more to head to the final of the Olympic Video games.".