Novak Djokovic lists Paris Olympics among ‘big goals’ for 2024
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic at the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa at the Stade de France on Saturday.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
PARIS – Novak Djokovic said winning Olympic gold in 2024 is one of his main ambitions as he returns to action at the Paris Masters this week after taking time off following his record-tying 24th Grand Slam title in New York.
The 36-year-old dashed back from the US Open to help Serbia into the Davis Cup quarter-finals in September but then skipped the ATP Tour’s return to China, instead spending time with his family.
Rafael Nadal has said Djokovic was the “best in history” after seeing his long-time rival overtake his mark for most Grand Slam titles in men’s tennis, with the Spaniard sidelined by injury this season.
Djokovic was reluctant to wade into what is an endless debate over who is the greatest men’s tennis player in history, but admitted it was nice hearing Nadal’s assessment.
“I’m not going to say I am the greatest player of all time. It’s not up to me to say things like that. I leave it up to others,” said the world No. 1.
“Obviously, I’m very proud that my greatest rival could say such things, but I leave this discussion to other people.”
Only his defeat by Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final in July denied Djokovic a calendar Grand Slam, and the Serb hopes 2024 will be another one to remember.
Djokovic dreams of joining Nadal and Andre Agassi in a select group of men to have won all four Grand Slams as well as Olympic singles gold.
He claimed bronze on his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing but has missed out on a medal in three tries since, coming fourth in 2012 and 2021 while losing to Juan Martin del Potro in the first round in 2016.
“My greatest motivation is still love for the game. I really like competing,” said Djokovic.
“Then, you know, I always have goals, you know, to win another Slam, to be No. 1 again, to finish the year as No. 1.
“Those are let’s say the big goals. Of course, next year are the Olympic Games. I really want to do well in the Olympic Games, represent my country. Davis Cup is something that still gives me a lot of inspiration.”
Feeling refreshed after his recent break, which included a trip to the Ryder Cup and Rugby World Cup final, Djokovic is bidding for his seventh Bercy crown after losing to Holger Rune in the 2022 final.
He will start against Miomir Kecmanovic or Tomas Martin Etcheverry in his opening match, with Japan Open champion Ben Shelton a potential opponent in the third round.
World No. 2 Alcaraz is also set to play after recovering from lower back and left foot injuries that led him to pull out of the Basel event.
The Spaniard, 20, has won six titles on the ATP Tour this season, the most recent of which came at Wimbledon, where he defeated Djokovic in a five-set final. AFP
