.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN 2 hours after his destructive loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was already laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had actually just been actually defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his goals for a record-breaking 25th primary name delayed. However it was clear he was attempting to carry on as quickly as he can when he spoke to press reporters at his press conference later that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Video Games as well as United States Open are actually the two big targets for the rest of the year for me definitely," Djokovic said. "I am actually hoping I may be at my finest [for] those pair of events. That's all I can easily claim at this moment." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response should barely happen as a shock considering his practically unparalleled profession which he is actually the speaking up for champion at the US Open. But he has certainly never very had the very same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Gamings with just one award-- a songs bronze in 2008. So now, 2 full weeks after his unsatisfactory finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris for what could be his final Games, with his eyes set on the something that has shunned him throughout his historic profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up dip into Roland Garros on Sunday along with a persuading 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He will next participate in familiar foe Rafael Nadal in the 2nd shot in hopes of receiving one measure closer to his goal." [It's therefore unique to become] part of the earliest sports activity in the record of sport," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Naturally succeeding a gold award or gaining any sort of award for my nation is actually a fantastic desire and wish. It is among [my] best top priorities and also goals for [this] period, there is actually obvious about that." THERE is actually MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic have not accomplished in tennis.Since transforming expert in 2003, Djokovic has succeeded the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the absolute most by any player outdoors era), as well as is a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time US Open champ as well as three-time French Open champ. He is tied along with Margaret Courthouse for the most significant songs labels in the sporting activity's past, and also he has the best outdoors era.Djokovic has succeeded 98 job singles labels (as well as one in increases) as well as has actually stored the planet No. 1 rank for a consolidated 428 weeks-- an additional track record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its first as well as only Davis Cup headline in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later got in touch with "the greatest emotion I ever before invited my life as a tennis player." But while he is actually regularly discussed just how much it indicates to him to become able to represent his country as well as just how much he enjoys the take in of the Olympic Games, he is actually merely never been able to equate his typical prominence to sporting activity's biggest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his solitary Olympic award. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer as well as Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets style-- a significant variation than the best-of-five-sets used by guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun by means of the draw up until Nadal, the eventual gold medalist, 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, that had actually gained his initial significant title previously that period in Melbourne, couldn't hide his enjoyment after the fit." [I'm] very pleased. I imply, to gain any type of medal in the Olympics is actually a massive accomplishment for any sort of athlete I assume," Djokovic pointed out. "Few of the athletes obtain a possibility to gain an award. But for me, this bronze, which I won right here, shines like a gold because I believe I have actually played good ping pong all tournament." Djokovic likewise participated in increases along with Nenad Zimonjic, however the pair dropped in the very first round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Slam champ, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. He defined it as "an out-of-body expertise" and a "big delight as well as responsibility and honor." The competitors was actually held at Wimbledon, where he had succeeded the headline the year just before, yet Djokovic dropped to eventual gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct sets. Djokovic dropped again in the preliminary of multiplies, this time along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was particularly irritating, considering that he had actually gained all 3 significant titles held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later on the hard court of law in Rio, Djokovic was actually the front runner (as well as now a 12-time significant champ) yet he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic as well as Zimonjic lost in the second around of doubles.But no loss hurt more challenging than in 2021. Competing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Video games, Djokovic came in after winning all three of the year's Slams. He performed a journey to sign up with just Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis players in past history to attain the "Golden Bang"-- all 4 primary titles and also an Olympic singles gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- however again-- Djokovic had his aspirations beat through eventual gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had quickly taken the very first set 6-1 however then succeeded simply 4 video games in the final two sets. Things evened the score worse in the bronze medal match against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to regulate his emotions, and abused his racket on several occasions. He lost the suit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then removed from the mixed multiplies bronze-medal suit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start later on that very same day, citing a remaining shoulder injury. He had actually played 7 fits in 4 times around attracts as well as it seemed it had all reached him." I played under medications, extraordinary ache and also exhaustion," Djokovic said.He certainly never had the capacity to receive his time entirely back on course and also shed in the final of the United States Open full weeks eventually to Daniil Medvedev, combating his fine-tuned objective of the calendar Grand Slam." [It] was actually also [an] psychologically very demanding time period for me in the last five, 6 months," Djokovic mentioned after the reduction. "Slams and also Olympics ... Every little thing was converging for me below and type of accumulating all the feelings that I have actually been actually with. Unfortunately I didn't create it in the last step." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a substantially different posture than he resided in 3 years back. Certainly not merely has he as yet to win a Slam this time, yet he is actually as yet to win a label of any kind. It's his worst beginning to a time considering that 2006. While he claimed he possesses no programs to resign, he knows time is actually ending. He is going to be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competition, might likewise verify difficult. He wounded his knee in the course of the French Open in June as well as was actually pushed to remove before his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgical procedure for a torn medial crescent in his best leg on June 5, initially leaving his status for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic dropped to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the ultimate previously this month, and in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany hypothesized he will skip the grass-court competition to focus on his recovery, and also carry on training on clay in front of the Olympics. But Djokovic came to the All of England Club a full week just before the primary draw started. After a number of successful as well as pain-free techniques, he participated in and was impressive throughout his operate, revealing few indicators of discomfort or even hindered movement." If somebody told me I would participate in [in the] Wimbledon last 3, 4 full weeks ago, I would certainly take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic and his peers have needed to rapidly alter to the red clay after devoting the past month on lawn. The surface areas couldn't be extra different-- the clay-based is considerably slower than the yard-- and also the means players proceed the courthouse is actually also. It is going to be actually difficult for even those without any physical health problems or even personal injuries. Probably in part as a result of this, Djokovic will simply be actually playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be tired as well as a little dejected after the Wimbledon ultimate, he was actually certainly not deterred." Let's find just how literally and psychologically I am actually going to feel. Ideally I can find the right tennis because I am actually going to need all I possess and additional to head to the ultimate of the Olympic Games.".