.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hours after his damaging reduction in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was presently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had merely been beat through Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his desires for a record-breaking 25th major title postponed. However it was very clear he was making an effort to go on as rapidly as he can when he spoke to press reporters at his news conference later on that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Gamings and also US Open are the two significant targets for the rest of the year for me actually," Djokovic said. "I am actually hoping I may be at my absolute best [for] those 2 events. That's all I can mention at the moment." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response should barely happen as a surprise considering his practically unparalleled occupation and also he is actually the speaking up for champion at the US Open. Yet he has never ever quite possessed the same success at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Gamings along with merely one award-- a songs bronze in 2008. Therefore today, 2 full weeks after his unsatisfying finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is actually back in Paris for what could be his final Gamings, along with his eyes bented on the one thing that has avoided him throughout his historical profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Saturday along with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He is going to next play familiar opponent Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in hopes of receiving one step more detailed to his dream." [It is actually thus unique to be] part of the oldest sporting activities activity in the record of sport," Djokovic told the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Of course succeeding a gold medal or even winning any type of medal for my country is actually an excellent desire as well as want. It is among [my] best top priorities and also objectives for [this] season, there is no secret about that." THERE'S MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic have not attained in tennis.Since transforming specialist in 2003, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open 10 times (the best through any gamer outdoors time), and is a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time United States Open champion and also three-time French Open champion. He is actually matched with Margaret Courtroom for the most significant songs headlines in the sporting activity's background, and he possesses one of the most in the Open era.Djokovic has actually won 98 profession songs labels (and one in doubles) as well as has held the world No. 1 position for a mixed 428 weeks-- another history. Djokovic even led Serbia to its 1st and also simply Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later on contacted "the most ideal sensation I ever before had in my lifestyle as a ping pong gamer." However while he's consistently spoken about the amount of it means to him to become capable to embody his nation and also the amount of he enjoys the take in of the Olympic Video games, he's just certainly never had the ability to equate his normal supremacy to sport's largest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his solitary Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a marked distinction than the best-of-five-sets made use of through men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun by means of the draw till Nadal, the eventual gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal suit, Djokovic surpassed James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had won his initial primary name earlier that season in Melbourne, couldn't hide his enthusiasm after the suit." [I'm] quite satisfied. I indicate, to win any sort of medal in the Olympics is a massive accomplishment for any type of sportsmen I presume," Djokovic pointed out. "Few of the professional athletes get a chance to win an award. But for me, this bronze, which I succeeded right here, beams like a gold considering that I think I've played pretty good ping pong all event." Djokovic additionally participated in increases together with Nenad Zimonjic, however both lost in the initial round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champ, was actually called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening event. He explained it as "an out-of-body knowledge" and also a "substantial satisfaction as well as task and also respect." The competition was held at Wimbledon, where he had actually succeeded the title the year just before, however Djokovic dropped to possible gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal suit he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in straight collections. Djokovic shed once more in the first round of doubles, this time around with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was specifically annoying, considering that he had won all 3 primary labels had that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years in the future the challenging court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (and currently a 12-time significant champ) yet he was actually stunned through Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic as well as Zimonjic dropped in the second around of doubles.But no reduction stung tougher than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Djokovic came in after gaining all 3 of the year's Bangs. He got on a journey to join simply Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong players in background to achieve the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 primary headlines as well as an Olympic songs gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- yet once again-- Djokovic had his desires slammed by resulting gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had simply taken the first collection 6-1 but at that point won just 4 games in the last 2 sets. Points got even worse in the bronze award fit against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to control his emotional states, and misused his racket on a number of celebrations. He lost the suit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and after that withdrew coming from the mixed multiplies bronze-medal suit (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin later that very same time, mentioning a remaining shoulder accident. He had actually participated in 7 suits in 4 times all over pulls and it appeared it had actually all reached him." I participated in under medicines, amazing ache as well as fatigue," Djokovic said.He never was able to obtain his season entirely back on track as well as shed in the ultimate of the United States Open full weeks later on to Daniil Medvedev, thwarting his altered target of the calendar Conquest." [It] was additionally [an] mentally quite asking for time frame for me in the last 5, 6 months," Djokovic said after the loss. "Bangs as well as Olympics ... Whatever was actually coming together for me here and also sort of gathering all the emotions that I've been actually with. Unfortunately I failed to make it in the ultimate action." DJOKOVIC NOW Goes Back To the Olympics in a substantially various placement than he remained in 3 years earlier. Certainly not just has he yet to win a Slam this time, however he is actually yet to succeed a label of any kind of kind. It's his worst start to a time because 2006. While he claimed he possesses no plans to resign, he recognizes time is ending. He will be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And returning to Roland Garros, the site of the French Open and also the Olympic competition, can additionally show demanding. He injured his leg in the course of the French Open in June and was actually pushed to take out before his quarterfinal match. He underwent surgical procedure for a torn medial crescent in his correct knee on June 5, at first leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final earlier this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany hypothesized he will skip the grass-court event to pay attention to his treatment, and proceed training on clay in advance of the Olympics. But Djokovic reached the All of England Nightclub a full week before the main draw started. After many successful as well as pain-free strategies, he participated in and also went over throughout his operate, revealing couple of signs of discomfort or interfered with movement." If a person told me I would play [in the] Wimbledon last 3, 4 full weeks ago, I would certainly take it for certain," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have must quickly adjust to the reddish clay-based after devoting recent month on turf. The surface areas could not be actually extra various-- the clay-based is actually dramatically slower than the lawn-- and the way gamers move on the courthouse is as well. It will definitely be tricky for also those without physical afflictions or injuries. Perhaps partly because of this, Djokovic is going to only be actually playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be exhausted and also somewhat dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was not hindered." Permit's observe how physically and mentally I am actually visiting experience. Hopefully I may find the appropriate ping pong because I'm visiting require all I have as well as even more to go to the ultimate of the Olympic Games.".