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

US Open

Djokovic calls Olympic gold his ‘biggest 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 boys’s singles gold medal on the Paris Olympics, incomes the one massive title he had not but captured.

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

“Simply sort of sharing my ideas, my feelings and experiences of reflection on what’s for me, I feel now once I look again, the best achievement and biggest spotlight of my profession total, successful the gold for Serbia,” Djokovic mentioned. “Had some heartbreaking losses on the Olympic Video games, labored very laborious to attempt to get myself able to combat for gold. And at 37 I believed, I do not know, may this be the final likelihood? Perhaps. So I needed to push greater than ever, than I’ve ever executed.”

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

“In fact within the finals towards Carlos, it was sort of a dream state of affairs 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. Most likely probably 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 total in my skilled profession, surpassed each Slam that I received, till I received the gold medal.

“I feel the second of once I achieved it, how I achieved it, after years of making an attempt, the journey, that was the way in which it was, I feel makes it much more distinctive.”

Djokovic has not performed since his memorable triumph in Paris, however he’ll attempt to hit the bottom operating in New York, the place he’s defending champion. The four-time US Open titlist is making an attempt to turn 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 most likely 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 combat for the trophy. That sort of mindset or method is not any completely different for me this 12 months,” Djokovic mentioned. “Individuals would ask me, now that you’ve got mainly received every part with the gold medal, what else is there to win?

“I nonetheless really feel the drive. I nonetheless have the aggressive spirit. I nonetheless need to make extra historical past and luxuriate in myself on the Tour. I nonetheless hope to encourage many younger folks to look at tennis, play tennis.
These are a few of the the reason why I nonetheless carry on going. Grand Slams are the pillars of our sport. They’re a very powerful historic tennis occasions that we’ve got. So if you do not get pumped and impressed to play your finest tennis at Grand Slams, it is laborious to try this anyplace else.”

The 99-time tour-level titlist feels good about his sport and what he has achieved in recent times, 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 decide and select occasions and the place I need to be at my prime and play one of the best tennis,” Djokovic mentioned. :So in relation to that, it is Grand Slams and representing my nation. That is what truly motivates me probably the most. That is what drives me probably the most nonetheless. Yeah, that is associated to the on-court, I suppose, competition-driven motivation.”

There is no such thing as a doubt the Serbian will probably 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 event in 12 of the previous 13 years and is making an attempt 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 this planet, tennis stadium. Evening periods at US Open are very well-known, most well-known in our sport,” Djokovic mentioned. “I’ll play my first match right here Monday evening, so I am unable to wait to be below the lights. The noise, the vitality of the stadium is simply completely different from the rest. I stay up for it.”