The Olympics has been one of the events in tennis where the big three have failed to dominate. Over the past two decades, it has always been played on hardcourts except for the 2012 London Olympics, where it was played on grass. In the last six Olympic games, there have been five different winners. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic won their first Olympic medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Among the big three, Federer and Djokovic have been a part of four Olympics. Nadal has been featured in three so far but has been the most successful one. The Spaniard won the gold in singles at Beijing and eight years later went on to accomplish the same in doubles at the Rio Olympics. Djokovic won the bronze medal in Beijing, while Federer won the silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
Federer had won the gold medal in doubles at Beijing. Nadal and Djokovic will have a chance to play their final Olympics next year in Paris. It will be held at Roland Garros as the Olympics returns to clay courts for the first time since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Djokovic will aim to win his second medal at the Olympic games.
Novak Djokovic aims to win gold at Paris next year
The 2024 Paris Olympics will be Novak Djokovic’s fifth and final appearance at the event. He made his debut in Beijing and has played at every Olympics ever since. The Olympics remains the only title Djokovic has not conquered in the sport.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost to Juan Martin Del Potro in the bronze medal match in London. Four years later, Del Potro again defeated him in the opening round at Rio.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics saw Djokovic suffer a loss in the semifinals to Alexander Zverev. The Serb then lost to Pablo Carreno Busta in the bronze medal match. Busta had never won a match against Djokovic in their past five meetings.
However, the 32-year-old Spaniard had won over Djokovic at the 2020 US Open as Djokovic had to default the match. Next year, since it’s on clay, Carlos Alcaraz will seek to win the gold for his country.
Novak Djoković just qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics 🇷🇸🎾💪 pic.twitter.com/uOyW6uM3rF
— THE JOKER(S) 🃏🇷🇸🏆 (@SerbsInSports) September 15, 2023
Djokovic will face a tough fight from Alcaraz, and if Nadal returns, then it will be even more difficult. Winning the gold medal would complete Djokovic’s trophy cabinet. The 36-year-old has a chance and is already the defending champion at the French Open. Djokovic will hope that the red dirt will favor him and his country.
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