.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN TWO hours after his damaging loss in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was actually presently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had simply been actually defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his dreams for a record-breaking 25th significant title held off. However it was very clear he was actually trying to carry on as rapidly as he can when he talked with reporters at his press conference later on that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Gamings as well as United States Open are the 2 big targets for the remainder of the year for me definitely," Djokovic stated. "I am actually wishing I can be at my absolute best [for] those 2 competitions. That is actually all I can state right now." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's answer must hardly happen as an unpleasant surprise considering his virtually unparalleled profession and also he is actually the defending champ at the US Open. Yet he has certainly never very had the very same excellence at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Gamings with merely one award-- a single people bronze in 2008. Therefore right now, pair of full weeks after his unsatisfactory appearance at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris wherefore could be his last Gamings, along with his eyes bented on the the main thing that has eluded him throughout his famous profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened play at Roland Garros on Sunday with a persuading 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He is going to next off play acquainted opponent Rafael Nadal in the 2nd shot in hopes of getting one action more detailed to his goal." [It's thus exclusive to become] component of the oldest sporting activities event in the background of sporting activity," Djokovic told the International Ping pong Alliance in May. "Naturally gaining a gold award or succeeding any sort of medal for my nation is actually a terrific dream as well as dream. It is one of [my] greatest concerns and also objectives for [this] time, there is obvious regarding that." THERE is actually MINIMAL ELSE Djokovic hasn't obtained in tennis.Since transforming professional in 2003, Djokovic has actually gained the Australian Open 10 opportunities (one of the most by any type of gamer outdoors time), and is actually a seven-time Wimbledon champion, four-time US Open champ and three-time French Open champion. He is actually tied along with Margaret Courthouse for the most significant singles headlines in the sport's record, and he possesses the absolute most in the Open era.Djokovic has actually succeeded 98 career songs headlines (and also one in doubles) and has actually kept the world No. 1 rank for a consolidated 428 weeks-- one more record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own first and just Davis Cup label in Belgrade in 2010, something that he eventually called "the best feeling I ever before had in my life as a ping pong player." However while he's regularly referred to how much it indicates to him to be capable to exemplify his country and also how much he appreciates the take in of the Olympic Gamings, he is actually just never ever been able to equate his typical prominence to sporting activity's largest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his single Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer and Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a significant distinction than the best-of-five-sets utilized by men in Grand Slams-- Djokovic spun with the draw till Nadal, the ultimate gold medalist, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award match, Djokovic beat James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, who had actually gained his first primary title previously that time in Melbourne, could not conceal his pleasure after the suit." [I am actually] extremely pleased. I mean, to gain any type of medal in the Olympics is actually a big accomplishment for any athlete I believe," Djokovic claimed. "Very few of the sportsmens get an opportunity to gain an award. But also for me, this bronze, which I succeeded here, beams like a gold because I presume I have actually played pretty good tennis all tournament." Djokovic likewise participated in multiplies alongside Nenad Zimonjic, however both shed in the initial round.In 2012, Djokovic, at that point a five-time Bang champion, was named Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening event. He defined it as "an out-of-body experience" as well as a "massive satisfaction and also accountability as well as tribute." The competitors was actually kept at Wimbledon, where he had actually gained the title the year prior to, but Djokovic dropped to resulting gold champion Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct collections. Djokovic dropped again in the preliminary of increases, this time around with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was actually especially aggravating, because he had actually succeeded all 3 significant titles held that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years eventually the challenging court in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (as well as right now a 12-time significant champ) however he was actually stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and Zimonjic lost in the 2nd round of doubles.But no reduction hurt tougher than in 2021. Competing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Video games, Djokovic showed up after succeeding all 3 of the year's Bangs. He was on a quest to join merely Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis players in record to obtain the "Golden Slam"-- all four significant titles and also an Olympic songs gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- however once again-- Djokovic had his goals slammed by possible gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had actually conveniently taken the very first set 6-1 but at that point succeeded only four games in the final 2 sets. Factors evened the score worse in the bronze medal fit against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic struggled to handle his emotional states, and misused his racket on a number of occasions. He lost the suit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then took out from the blended multiplies bronze-medal match (with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start eventually that very same time, mentioning a nigh side shoulder personal injury. He had actually participated in 7 suits in four times all over pulls and it appeared it had actually all caught up to him." I participated in under medications, extraordinary pain and also tiredness," Djokovic said.He certainly never managed to obtain his period entirely back on the right track as well as dropped in the final of the United States Open full weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, thwarting his fine-tuned target of the schedule Conquest." [It] was additionally [an] psychologically quite demanding time period for me in the final five, six months," Djokovic claimed after the loss. "Slams and Olympics ... Whatever was collaborating for me listed below and kind of accumulating all the emotional states that I have actually been through. Unfortunately I didn't create it in the ultimate action." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a drastically different placement than he remained in three years ago. Not merely has he as yet to gain a Bang this period, however he is actually yet to succeed a title of any kind. It's his worst begin to a season because 2006. While he claimed he has no plannings to retire, he knows time is going out. He will definitely 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 competitors, could likewise confirm demanding. He injured his leg in the course of the French Open in June and was actually pushed to withdraw in front of his quarterfinal match. He went through surgery for a torn medial meniscus in his correct leg on June 5, initially leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final earlier this month, and also in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany guessed he would leave out the grass-court competition to focus on his rehab, as well as carry on instruction on clay-based in advance of the Olympics. But Djokovic got to the All of England Club a week just before the primary draw started. After numerous productive and also pain-free techniques, he played and also was impressive throughout his run, showing few indicators of distress or even hindered action." If somebody told me I will play [in the] Wimbledon final three, four weeks ago, I would take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic and his peers have needed to swiftly adjust to the red clay after spending the past month on yard. The surface areas couldn't be much more different-- the clay-based is considerably slower than the lawn-- and also the means players carry on the court is as well. It will be challenging for even those with no bodily afflictions or accidents. Perhaps partially due to this, Djokovic will just be playing in songs at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed to be weary and also somewhat dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was actually not deterred." Permit's observe how physically and also psychologically I'm going to experience. Hopefully I may locate the ideal ping pong since I'm going to require all I have and additional to visit the last of the Olympic Video games.".