.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN pair of hours after his devastating loss in the Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic was already laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually merely been beat by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his dreams for a record-breaking 25th major name held off. Yet it was very clear he was trying to proceed as quickly as he can when he talked with press reporters at his news conference later on that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Games and United States Open are both big targets for the rest of the year for me actually," Djokovic claimed. "I am actually wishing I can be at my greatest [for] those pair of tournaments. That's all I can claim now." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution ought to barely happen as a shock considering his essentially unequaled career and that he's the speaking up for champion at the US Open. But he possesses never very had the exact same effectiveness at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Video games along with simply one award-- a songs bronze in 2008. Therefore now, two weeks after his disappointing surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris wherefore could be his last Video games, with his eyes bented on the something that has actually outruned him throughout his historic job: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Sunday with an effective 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Matthew Ebden. He will certainly next off participate in acquainted enemy Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in chances of getting one action nearer to his desire." [It is actually thus exclusive to be] part of the oldest sporting activities event in the past of sport," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Obviously gaining a gold award or winning any type of award for my country is a terrific wish as well as wish. It is just one of [my] ultimate top priorities and objectives for [this] time, there is no secret concerning that." THERE'S BIT ELSE Djokovic hasn't obtained in tennis.Since transforming professional in 2003, Djokovic has succeeded the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the best by any kind of gamer in the Open period), and also is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time United States Open champion and three-time French Open champ. He is tied along with Margaret Courthouse for the very most primary songs headlines in the sport's past history, and he has the best outdoors era.Djokovic has actually won 98 occupation songs headlines (and also one in increases) and has held the planet No. 1 position for a combined 428 full weeks-- an additional track record. Djokovic even led Serbia to its own very first and only Davis Mug label in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later called "the best feeling I ever had in my life as a tennis gamer." Yet while he is actually constantly spoken about the amount of it implies to him to be able to represent his nation and the amount of he takes pleasure in the encounter of the Olympic Gamings, he is actually merely never been able to equate his normal supremacy to sporting activity's largest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his solitary Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets layout-- a marked distinction than the best-of-five-sets used through men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled by means of the draw until Nadal, the eventual 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, who had won his very first major title previously that time in Melbourne, couldn't hide his enjoyment after the complement." [I'm] incredibly satisfied. I imply, to win any sort of medal in the Olympics is actually a large achievement for any sort of athlete I assume," Djokovic stated. "Very few of the athletes acquire a chance to gain a medal. But also for me, this bronze, which I won below, shines like a gold because I think I have actually played decent ping pong all competition." Djokovic also participated in multiplies along with Nenad Zimonjic, yet both shed in the initial round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Bang champ, was called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening service. He explained it as "an out-of-body adventure" as well as a "substantial delight and obligation as well as respect." The competitors was actually kept at Wimbledon, where he had actually succeeded the label the year just before, 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 straight sets. Djokovic dropped once more in the first round of increases, this time along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually specifically annoying, since he had gained all three significant titles had that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later the hard court of law in Rio, Djokovic was actually the top seed (and currently a 12-time significant champ) yet he was stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and Zimonjic dropped in the second round of doubles.But no loss hurt more difficult than in 2021. Competing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic arrived after gaining all three of the year's Slams. He performed a mission to join simply Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis players in past to accomplish the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 major titles as well as an Olympic songs gold in the very same season.But in the semifinals-- however once more-- Djokovic had his aspirations slammed by resulting gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had simply taken the first collection 6-1 yet after that won just 4 activities in the final 2 sets. Factors evened the score worse in the bronze award suit against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic strained to manage his feelings, and also misused his racket on several occasions. He shed the match 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and afterwards removed from the combined increases bronze-medal match (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin eventually that very same time, citing a nigh side shoulder injury. He had actually participated in 7 suits in 4 times all over attracts and it seemed it had actually all reached him." I participated in under medications, astounding pain and fatigue," Djokovic said.He certainly never had the capacity to receive his period totally back on the right track and also dropped in the ultimate of the US Open weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, obstructing his altered target of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was actually additionally [an] emotionally incredibly requiring time period for me in the last 5, six months," Djokovic claimed after the loss. "Slams and also Olympics ... Whatever was integrating for me right here and also sort of gathering all the emotions that I have actually been actually by means of. Regrettably I failed to make it in the final action." DJOKOVIC NOW Goes Back To the Olympics in a substantially various position than he resided in 3 years ago. Certainly not only has he as yet to win a Bang this time, however he's yet to gain a label of any type of kind. It's his worst begin to a time considering that 2006. While he claimed he possesses no plans to resign, he understands time is actually going out. He will certainly be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And coming back to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competition, can additionally verify challenging. He harmed his leg in the course of the French Open in June and also was forced to remove ahead of his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgery for a torn medial lens in his appropriate knee on June 5, initially leaving his standing 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 hypothesized he would neglect the grass-court tournament to focus on his rehab, and also carry on training on clay in front of the Olympics. Yet Djokovic arrived at the All of England Nightclub a full week prior to the primary draw started. After numerous prosperous as well as pain-free techniques, he played and also was impressive throughout his run, showing handful of signs of pain or even obstructed movement." If an individual told me I will play [in the] Wimbledon ultimate 3, 4 weeks earlier, I would certainly take it for certain," he said.Djokovic and his peers have must promptly adjust to the red clay-based after devoting recent month on turf. The areas couldn't be much more various-- the clay is substantially slower than the yard-- as well as the method gamers carry on the courtroom is also. It is going to be complicated for also those without any physical afflictions or injuries. Maybe in part because of this, Djokovic will merely be actually playing in single people at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be worn out and also a little dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was actually certainly not discouraged." Permit's see exactly how literally and also emotionally I'm going to really feel. Perhaps I may find the appropriate ping pong due to the fact that I'm going to require all I possess and also additional to go to the final of the Olympic Video games.".