Novak Djokovic confirms his Paris Olympics ambition as the gold medal continues to evade him

Djokovic has only one Olympic medal to his name - Bronze at 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Novak Djokovic confirms his Paris Olympics ambition as the gold medal continues to evade him

Novak Djokovic leaves the court after being defeated by Pablo Carreño Busta in the Bronze Medal match of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (Via AP)

An Olympic Gold Medal is the only missing piece from 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic‘s rather perfect tennis career. The World No.1 punched his ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics after helping Serbia qualify for the last 8 of Davis Cup, last month. For context, to be eligible for participation in singles competition in the men’s Olympics, athletes must follow the ITF (International Tennis Federation) eligibility rules, which include participation in the Davis Cup.

The Serb would hope to correct his dismal record in the Olympics at the Paris Summer Games next year. The tournament will be played on the clay courts of Roland Garros in July 2024. Olympic Gold in men’s singles has remained elusive for Djokovic and some would argue it is the last piece of the jigsaw in cementing his GOAT status. After winning a Bronze in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he lost in the bronze medal match in 2012 and 2021.

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Talking about his Olympics ambition in the Paris Masters pre-tournament press conference, Djokovic remarked:

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Of course next year is Olympic Games, I really want to do well in Olympic Games, represent my country. Davis Cup is something that still gives me a lot of inspiration.

At the Davis Cup last month, The 36-year-old continued his winning ways with a 6-3, 6-4 Davis Cup win against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Djokovic’s victory clinched the tie for Serbia and secured the nation its place in the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga in November.

The World No.1 further talked about his scheduling of tours over the next 12 months. The Serb has recently started prioritizing Slams and Masters while giving other tournaments a miss. For this year, Djokovic has prioritized the Davis Cup, ATP Finals, and the upcoming last Masters’ tournament of the year in Paris. 

I have, let’s say, luxury right now to choose which tournaments I participate on, to set my schedule in such a way where I can peak at the right tournaments where I set my highest goals.

Novak Djokovic’s record at the Olympics

Djokovic’s first appearance at the Olympics came in the 2008 Beijing edition. Seeded third in singles, Djokovic lost in the semi-finals to Rafael Nadal. Djokovic then defeated James Blake, the loser of the other semi-final, in the bronze medal match.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
(M) Rafael Nadal and (R) Novak Djokovic in Olympics Medal ceremony

His next appearance came at the 2012 London Olympics. The tournament was played on grass courts. Djokovic defeated French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and advanced to the semi-finals, where he was beaten by Andy Murray in straight sets. In the bronze medal match, he lost to Juan Martín del Potro, finishing fourth. Djokovic was beaten in the first round of the Olympic men’s singles in Rio de Janeiro too by Juan Martín del Potro.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Djokovic lost in the semifinals to Alexander Zverev, and then to Pablo Carreño Busta in the bronze medal match. Djokovic also competed in mixed doubles partnering Nina Stojanović; the pair lost in the semifinals to Aslan Karatsev and Elena Vesnina. He then withdrew from their bronze medal match against WTA singles No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and John Peers, with Djokovic citing a shoulder injury.

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