Novak Djokovic news: Olympic gold in the crosshairs for GOAT favourite

Olympics

James Richardson
February 18, 2022

Novak Djokovic remains on course to become Tennis’ most decorated man despite falling behind Rafael Nadal after a controversial withdrawal from the Australian Open.

Djokovic has little anxiety regarding his ability to win more Grand Slams, but is desperate to win an Olympic gold medal which could go a long way towards sealing his status as the Greatest of all Time.

The man who has spent more weeks at number one on the ATP Rankings than anyone else in history admits to being haunted by his failures at the Olympic Games.

Djokovic has entered the Olympic Games tournament four times with his best result coming in his first attempt in Beijing, when he claimed bronze.

He was beaten by Alexander Zverev in the Tokyo Semi-finals before losing the bronze medal match to Pablo Carreño Busta.

Djokovic feels that he was ill-prepared for the Tokyo Games, which came at the beginning of the hard court season.

“An Olympic medal, especially gold, is always a big wish,” Novak Djokovic told Radio Television of Serbia.

“I rewound my match with Zverev in Tokyo many times, trying to figure out what went wrong,” he said. “I played superbly up to that point, but I did feel I was running on fumes, both mentally and physically.”

The Paris Olympics tennis tournament will be staged at the iconic Roland Garros Stadium, which will ensure 2024 is a huge year for both the venue and clay court tennis.

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Djokovic has just two Roland Garros victories to his name, but it is unclear if his nemesis on the red stuff, Rafael Nadal, will still be at it in 2024.

His participation in this year’s French Open remains in doubt, with the event yet to clarify whether or not entrants will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Djokovic has received assurances from the Italian government that he will be allowed to enter the country for the Rome Masters event in May.

“If [Novak] Djokovic wants to come and play in Rome he can do it,” Valentina Vezzali, Italy’s cabinet undersecretary for sport, said.

“[Tennis is] an outdoor sport and the tighter green pass is not required. Perhaps Djokovic will most likely not be allowed in a hotel or a restaurant, but if he wants to play he can play.”

Novak Djokovic