.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hrs after his disastrous loss in the Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic was already laser-focused on the rest of the season.Djokovic, 37, had just been actually defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his aspirations for a record-breaking 25th major name held off. But it was crystal clear he was trying to go on as swiftly as he might when he talked to media reporters at his press conference later that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Games and United States Open are actually the 2 big targets for the rest of the year for me definitely," Djokovic mentioned. "I'm hoping I could be at my best [for] those 2 tournaments. That is actually all I may mention immediately." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution should rarely happen as an unpleasant surprise considering his basically exceptional profession which he's the speaking up for champ at the US Open. However he has certainly never fairly possessed the very same results at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Games with simply one award-- a songs bronze in 2008. Therefore today, pair of weeks after his unsatisfying finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what might be his last Gamings, along with his eyes bented on the one thing that has actually outruned him throughout his famous profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Sunday with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Matthew Ebden. He will next off participate in acquainted adversary Rafael Nadal in the second shot in hopes of acquiring one measure nearer to his desire." [It's so exclusive to become] part of the earliest sports occasion in the history of sporting activity," Djokovic informed the International Tennis Alliance in May. "Obviously succeeding a gold award or winning any type of award for my nation is actually an excellent want and wish. It is one of [my] best concerns and objectives for [this] time, there is actually no secret about that." THERE'S BIT ELSE Djokovic hasn't obtained in tennis.Since switching qualified in 2003, Djokovic has succeeded the Australian Open 10 times (the best through any type of player in the Open era), and also is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time United States Open champion and three-time French Open champion. He is actually tied along with Margaret Courtroom for the most primary single people labels in the sporting activity's background, and he possesses the most in the Open era.Djokovic has actually succeeded 98 profession single people titles (and also one in doubles) as well as has actually kept the globe No. 1 rank for a combined 428 full weeks-- yet another record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own initial and merely Davis Mug label in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later on contacted "the most ideal feeling I ever had in my lifestyle as a ping pong gamer." However while he's always discussed the amount of it means to him to be able to represent his nation and also the amount of he appreciates the experience of the Olympic Gamings, he is actually simply never managed to translate his regular supremacy to sport's largest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his solitary Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets style-- a significant variation than the best-of-five-sets utilized through guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun via the draw until Nadal, the resulting gold medalist, 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 gained his 1st significant name previously that season in Melbourne, couldn't hide his enthusiasm after the fit." [I am actually] incredibly delighted. I imply, to gain any type of medal in the Olympics is a huge achievement for any sort of professional athlete I presume," Djokovic claimed. "Not many of the athletes get a chance to succeed a medal. However, for me, this bronze, which I gained here, shines like a gold due to the fact that I assume I've played respectable tennis all competition." Djokovic likewise played multiplies together with Nenad Zimonjic, however both shed in the very 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 illustrated it as "an out-of-body expertise" as well as a "big satisfaction and accountability and respect." The competition was held at Wimbledon, where he had actually gained the label the year just before, yet Djokovic shed 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 lost again in the first round of multiplies, this time around along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was particularly aggravating, due to the fact that he had succeeded all 3 major titles held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years later the hard court in Rio, Djokovic was actually the top seed (as well as currently a 12-time primary champ) but he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the preliminary. Djokovic and Zimonjic lost in the second around of doubles.But no reduction stung more difficult than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic got here after succeeding all three of the year's Slams. He performed a pursuit to join only Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong players in past history to obtain the "Golden Slam"-- all four significant titles and also an Olympic songs gold in the very same season.But in the semifinals-- however once again-- Djokovic had his desires dashed through possible gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had simply taken the initial collection 6-1 yet after that won only four activities in the last 2 sets. Factors got back at much worse in the bronze medal match against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to regulate his emotional states, as well as abused his racket on numerous celebrations. He shed the complement 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and afterwards removed coming from the mixed increases bronze-medal suit (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start eventually that exact same day, presenting a remaining shoulder trauma. He had played seven suits in 4 times across attracts as well as it appeared it had all reached him." I participated in under medicines, incredible ache and tiredness," Djokovic said.He certainly never had the ability to acquire his season fully back on track and also lost in the final of the US Open weeks later on to Daniil Medvedev, combating his adjusted goal of the calendar Conquest." [It] was actually additionally [an] emotionally quite requiring period for me in the final 5, 6 months," Djokovic claimed after the reduction. "Bangs as well as Olympics ... Whatever was actually coming together for me listed below and also type of building up all the emotional states that I've been actually by means of. Unfortunately I really did not create it in the final measure." DJOKOVIC NOW Comes Back To the Olympics in a substantially different placement than he was in three years earlier. Not only has he yet to gain a Slam this season, however he's yet to win a label of any kind. It's his worst start to a period due to the fact that 2006. While he stated he has no plannings to retire, he recognizes time is ending. He will 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 competitors, could possibly also confirm demanding. He harmed his leg throughout the French Open in June and was pushed to remove ahead of his quarterfinal suit. He went through surgical operation for a torn median lens in his best leg on June 5, originally leaving his standing for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic dropped to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the ultimate previously this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany speculated he would certainly skip the grass-court competition to pay attention to his treatment, and carry on instruction on clay before the Olympics. However Djokovic arrived at the All England Nightclub a week just before the principal draw began. After several effective and pain-free methods, he participated in and went over throughout his run, revealing couple of indicators of soreness or interfered with action." If someone informed me I will play [in the] Wimbledon final 3, four weeks back, I will take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have must quickly readjust to the reddish clay-based after investing the past month on yard. The surface areas could not be more various-- the clay is dramatically slower than the lawn-- as well as the way gamers go on the courthouse is as well. It will certainly be tricky for even those with no physical conditions or traumas. Perhaps partially as a result of this, Djokovic will only be actually playing in songs at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed weary as well as a little dejected after the Wimbledon final, he was actually not deterred." Permit's find just how literally as well as emotionally I'm visiting really feel. With any luck I can discover the right ping pong due to the fact that I am actually mosting likely to require all I have as well as even more to go to the last of the Olympic Games.".