Serbian rower Jovana Arsic explains how staying in the Olympic village in Tokyo affected Novak Djokovic
Djokovic doesn't want to stay in the Olympic village this time to avoid unnecessary interactions.

Jovana Arsic, Novak Djokovic (Images via World Rowing, Imago)
Novak Djokovic doesn’t want to repeat mistakes in this Olympics. In fact, those were not the mistakes he committed as his being a top star in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics affected his energy levels. And to concentrate properly in Paris, he changed his plans.
Jovana Arsic, a Serbian rower who also played in the Tokyo Olympics, explained that the frequent interactions with the media, players, plus taking selfies drained his energy. As a consequence, he suffered during the semifinals against Alexander Zverev and lost the bronze medal match as well. He later withdrew from the mixed doubles bronze medal match with Nina Stojanovic due to a shoulder injury.
A man eats, and they enter his plate. You can't believe it, it's terrible… I managed to take a photo with him. I was a little skeptical about it why should I approach him when everyone is scorning him? It takes a lot of energy, then you have to go onto the field to do your best, to focus on the game, and on some other things. Everyone wants to talk to you, to exchange a few sentences.Jovana Arsic told Nova.rs
The report from Nova.rs also stated that Djokovic decided not to stay at the Olympic village in Paris this time for the very reasons mentioned above. Along with that, he chose not to train in Serbia to take some pressure off as nothing short of a gold medal is expected from him.
He was also far from his best at Wimbledon and so, to get back his fitness and form, he is doing workation (work plus vacation). He traveled to Montenegro with his family and started his preparation for the Games. The reports further claimed that Djokovic would be flying to Paris from Tivat as it would help him skip the press conference, which sometimes can create additional pressure.
Novak Djokovic won’t be playing in doubles event
Novak Djokovic has broken almost every record in tennis and has collected the most number of Grand Slam trophies. But unfortunately, there is no Olympic gold in his trophy cabinet, though he won the bronze medal in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He has time and again talked about winning the gold medal for Serbia and will grind hard in the Olympics (which may turn out to be his last) to win it. Djokovic will be the second seed in singles and is set to skip any doubles event if reports are to be believed. He wants to give his all to the singles and to maintain his energy levels, he will skip the doubles matches.
Djokovic will be arriving in Paris without a title this season. The only time he reached the finals this season was at the Wimbledon.
In case you missed!
- ‘Mother’ Judy Murray has a 4-word reaction to Andy Murray’s emotional retirement announcement
- “We’re stealing towels!” Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz engage in a hilarious exchange at the Paris Olympic village