Novak Djokovic’s Olympic Games record: Will all-time great finally strike gold?

Oli Dickson Jefford 23 Jul 2024 1:57 PM

Serbia's Novak Djokovic displays his bronze medal won in singles tennis at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing

Novak Djokovic celebrates with his bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics.

Novak Djokovic has been quietly building up to what looks set to be his final Olympic Games campaign.

The Serbian has pretty much every record in the book and is widely seen as the greatest male player of all time – but there is one thing he is missing.

An Olympic gold has eluded Djokovic, and he heads into Paris 2024 targeting one of the most meaningful triumphs of his career.

Ahead of Paris, we look back at Djokovic’s Olympic Games history.

2008: Bronze on debut

Having won his first Australian Open title earlier in the season, Djokovic was among the leading medal contenders heading into Beijing.

The third seed impressed on his way to the last four, dropping just one set on his way to the semi-final – to Gael Monfils in their quarter-final clash.

Djokovic faced a tough semi-final against world No 2 Rafael Nadal and missed out on the gold medal match after a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 loss to the Spaniard.

However, he bounced back to take the bronze medal, beating eighth seed James Blake 6-3, 7-6(4).

He also played in the men’s doubles alongside close confidant Nenad Zimonjic, the second seeds suffering a shock opening defeat to Czechia’s Martin Damm and Pavel Vizner.

2012: Semi-final stumble

Djokovic was again one of the favourites for gold at London 2012, with the world No 2 having won the Australian Open and reached the French Open final that season.

The Serbian needed three sets to beat Fabio Fognini and Lleyton Hewitt in round one and round three respectively, but then beat fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets to reach the last four.

He was perhaps the favourite for his semi-final against third seed Andy Murray but, buoyed by home support, Murray stunned the Serbian 7-5, 7-5 to deny Djokovic a showdown against Roger Federer.

There was to be no medal for him this time, losing 7-5, 6-4 to Juan Martin del Potro in the bronze match.

Djokovic also played doubles alongside Viktor Troicki, the eighth seeds losing in round one to Johan Brunstrom and Robert Lindstedt.

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2016: Early exits

World No 1 and reigning champion at three of the four majors, Djokovic was an overwhelming favourite to finally take gold at Rio 2016.

But there was to be more disappointment for the 24-time Slam winner, handed a nightmare opening match against del Potro, who started his resurgence with a shock 7-6(4), 7-6(2) triumph.

Djokovic again also played doubles in Rio, back alongside Zimonjic, with the pair reaching round two before a loss to third seeds and home favourites Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares.

2021: More semi-final heartbreak

Having won the first three Slams of 2021, Djokovic was again a massive favourite for gold at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

The world No 1 dominated early on, and a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Kei Nishikori in the last eight saw him storm into the semi-finals.

However, for the third time, he was defeated at that stage, fading badly in a 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 loss to eventual winner Alexander Zverev.

He was also the wrong side of a surprise result in the bronze medal match, beaten 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 by sixth seed Pablo Carreno Busta.

Skipping men’s doubles action, Djokovic played mixed alongside Nina Stojanovic, the pair reaching the last four.

But they were beaten by Russians Aslan Karatsev and Elena Vesnina in the semi-final, and he withdrew from the bronze medal match to prioritise his singles campaign – a decision that backfired.

2024: One final shot

Djokovic has bounced back well from a tough meniscus injury sustained at Roland Garros, reaching the final at Wimbledon less than 40 days after surgery.

Now, his attention turns to what will likely be his final Olympic campaign; at the age of 37, it is hard to see Djokovic pushing on to Los Angeles in 2028.

There is no mixed or men’s doubles campaign for him this time, with his sole focus on capturing that elusive singles title.

The world No 2 is joint-second favourite alongside Jannik Sinner, with Carlos Alcaraz the bookmaker’s favourite.

Best-of-three until the final will help Djokovic physically and he has fond memories of Roland Garros, but he looked well off the pace against Alcaraz at SW19.

All eyes will be on how he fares.