Novak Djokovic calls Olympic gold his ‘best achievement’ | ATP Tour

US Open

Djokovic calls Olympic gold his ‘best achievement’

Serbian seeks fifth US Open title

August 24, 2024

The final time Novak Djokovic was in motion, lots of his colleagues mentioned he “accomplished tennis”. The Serbian claimed the lads’s singles gold medal on the Paris Olympics, incomes the one huge title he had not but captured.

Forward of the US Open, the 37-year-old made a daring assertion concerning how extremely that accomplishment ranks amongst his lengthy listing of accolades.

“Simply form of sharing my ideas, my feelings and experiences of reflection on what’s for me, I believe now after I look again, the best achievement and best spotlight of my profession general, successful the gold for Serbia,” Djokovic mentioned. “Had some heartbreaking losses on the Olympic Video games, labored very onerous to attempt to get myself able to struggle for gold. And at 37 I believed, I do not know, might this be the final likelihood? Perhaps. So I needed to push greater than ever, than I’ve ever finished.”

Djokovic defined that his effort in Paris was probably the greatest performances, all through your entire match, he had produced in years.

“After all within the finals in opposition to Carlos, it was form of a dream situation actually having my spouse and kids there, your entire nation watching. Only a very proud second of experiencing the golden medal round my neck with Serbian anthem and Serbian flag. Very, very particular. In all probability essentially the most intense feelings I’ve ever had on a tennis court docket,” Djokovic mentioned. “I used to be saying that carrying the flag, being a flagbearer for my nation, opening [the Olympic] Video games in 2012 in London on the Olympic Video games, was one of the best feeling I had general in my skilled profession, surpassed each Slam that I received, till I received the gold medal.

“I believe the second of after I achieved it, how I achieved it, after years of attempting, the journey, that was the way in which it was, I believe makes it much more distinctive.”

Djokovic has not performed since his memorable triumph in Paris, however he’ll attempt to hit the bottom working in New York, the place he’s defending champion. The four-time US Open titlist is attempting to change into the primary man to efficiently defend the Flushing Meadows trophy since Roger Federer received it in 5 consecutive years from 2004 by 2008.

“I did not learn about that. I knew it was in all probability the case for 5, ten years, however I did not understand it was that lengthy. Hopefully that modifications this 12 months. I imply, that is the aim. The aim is at all times for me to attempt to go all the way in which to the finals and struggle for the trophy. That form of mindset or strategy isn’t any completely different for me this 12 months,” Djokovic mentioned. “Folks would ask me, now that you’ve mainly received all the pieces with the gold medal, what else is there to win?

“I nonetheless really feel the drive. I nonetheless have the aggressive spirit. I nonetheless wish to make extra historical past and luxuriate in myself on the Tour. I nonetheless hope to encourage many younger individuals to look at tennis, play tennis.
These are a number of the the reason why I nonetheless carry on going. Grand Slams are the pillars of our sport. They’re an important historic tennis occasions that we’ve got. So if you aren’t getting pumped and impressed to play your greatest tennis at Grand Slams, it is onerous to try this anyplace else.”

The 99-time tour-level titlist feels good about his sport and what he has achieved lately, however admitted he must be “a bit extra selective” about his scheduling.

“I’ve to be a bit extra selective in my technique of calendar and the way I choose and select occasions and the place I wish to be at my prime and play one of the best tennis,” Djokovic mentioned. :So relating to that, it is Grand Slams and representing my nation. That is what truly motivates me essentially the most. That is what drives me essentially the most nonetheless. Yeah, that is associated to the on-court, I suppose, competition-driven motivation.”

There isn’t a doubt the Serbian will likely be motivated to earn his twenty fifth main over the approaching fortnight in New York. Djokovic has received at the very least one Grand Slam match in 12 of the previous 13 years and is attempting to make it 13 of 14. He’ll face Moldovan Radu Albot on opening evening Monday.

“US Open is a slam that holds the most important tennis court docket on the planet, tennis stadium. Evening classes at US Open are very well-known, most well-known in our sport,” Djokovic mentioned. “I will play my first match right here Monday evening, so I am unable to wait to be underneath the lights. The noise, the vitality of the stadium is simply completely different from the rest. I sit up for it.”