Novak Djokovic changed his routine in this Olympics

07/26/2024 08:30 AM

The Paris Olympics is perhaps the main seasonal goal for Novak Djokovic. The former world number 1 will play his fifth Olympics, hoping to finally win the gold medal. The Serbian champion has always had some problems in this event, a kind of curse that he hopes to break just this year. To be as focused as possible and avoid wasting energy, Nole decided to play only the single in Paris.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion - who feels better than Wimbledon - will make his debut against Matt Ebden in a match that is relatively smooth in theory. In case of victory, Novak will face the winner of the match between Marton Fucsovics and Rafael Nadal. Any challenge against the Spaniard would be one of the most anticipated events in the entire Olympics.

The 37-year-old from Belgrade is in parable descending seconds some experts, Having not won a single title in 2024 and having been defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Wimbledon Championships. Djokovic had his knee operated last month, but he still managed to reach the final at Church Road thanks to a favorable draw.

The Serbian became the first favorite of the seeding due to the failure of Jannik Sinner, who had to skip the Olympics because of tonsillitis. Although Djokovic is the first seed favorite, the big favorite to win the gold medal in Paris is Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. Novak Djokovic is very motivated to do well in Paris, on the less ideal surface for his characteristics (although he won three French Open).

Unlike previous editions of the Olympics, Nole has decided not to stay in the Olympic village this year. “Why did I decide not to stay at the Olympic village during the Games? One of the reasons is for my privacy. I wanted more privacy and to stay focused on the tournament. The village is one of the best experiences during the Olympics because it’s where you feel the energy. I will go visit the village but I won’t stay there because I feel it’s better for me. I’d love to see a lot of sports but I won’t have that many opportunities, so I’ll try” – Djokovic explained before the start of the tournament.

Despite the results he has achieved this year, the Serbian player is not going to give up and wants to continue playing: “I don’t have retirement close in my mind, to be honest, even though I know a lot of people would love me to retire. I think as long as there is at least one of us left in the competition, I think the era is still going.

Of course, there is a change of generations, Alcaraz and Sinner, currently they are two of the best in the world, deservedly. I’ve been present for the shift of many generations in the last 15 years, I like to see that, but I think it’s also great I’m still able to play. Of course, the end is nearer than the beginning, I know that. I still enjoy competition and I’ll keep going until I don’t enjoy it anymore.”

The Serbian legend experienced one of the worst moments of his entire career in Rio in 2016, when he cried a lot after losing to a great Juan Martin del Potro. Nole could have won the gold medal in Tokyo 2021, but was defeated in the semifinals by Zverev despite a very good start to the match (the Serbian was ahead by one set and one break).

In a recent interview with Eurosport, Boris Becker recalled Djokovic’s defeat in Rio: “I was fortunate to be the head coach of the Serbian team at 2016 in Rio. I worked with all the Serbian players, I stayed in the village with the Serbian s and by then, he was already a superstar.

Then he lost to Del Potro in the first round and you just couldn’t speak to him for the first couple of days as he was heartbroken. It was one of the biggest disappointments in his career, but there you go. He has so many great victories in his career, but you could see the disappointment. He showed how proud he is to be Serbian. He loves his country more than anything else in the world. That is why this Olympics will be so important for him.”

The Paris Olympics and the US Open are Nole’s two main goals in this second part of the season. The Serbian will have to defend many points, having won the Cincinnati Masters 1000, the US Open, the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 and the ATP Finals.