Novak Djokovic: My Olympic Memories
Novak Djokovic has a chequered history in the Olympic Tennis Event, experiencing, by his own admission ‘some heartbreaking losses’ alongside some of his proudest moments at Games gone by. He is set to contest his fifth Games at Paris 2024, with a steely eye on clinching that much-desired gold medal. Despite all his success in the sport, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has won just a solitary medal at the Olympics - beating James Blake to singles bronze 16 years ago. Here he reflects on the power and prestige of being part of the biggest sporting event in the world.
I won a bronze medal quite along time ago at Beijing 2008. I had the greatest honour of carrying the Serbian flag in the opening ceremony. I haven’t had an experience of the opening ceremony since London 2012, so I really hope that I’ll be able to experience that, and really enjoy my experience at the Olympic Games [in Paris] because it’s like nothing else.
Being part of the Olympic Games, representing your country, is a huge privilege and honour. [It’s so special to be] part of the oldest sports event in the history of sport. Of course winning a gold medal or winning any medal for my country is a great wish and desire. It is one of the greatest priorities and goals for [this] season, there is no secret about that.
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It’s also going to be a little bit weird playing in the biggest stadiums in Roland Garros, but actually playing an Olympic tournament. [It’s] also a different crowd, a different public coming to watch you play and support. It’s [going to be] much louder. That’s what Olympics is all about. Really bringing sport that unites the world and brings people from all around the world to watch you play and represent your country. I just love it.
Being able to dine with the best athletes in the world, interact with them, speak about their methods, their preparation, their training, their performances, and share also your own, it’s really inspiring. It’s unlike anything else that I experience in my individual tennis career.
Davis Cup weeks and some other team competitions in tennis maybe resembles Olympics to some extent in terms of the team spirit, sharing the court and the venue with others, and being part of the team, rather than just playing for yourself.
The Olympics are so unique. Just being in that village, you feel incredibly inspired and proud to be there. But also I’m going to learn from my previous Olympic experiences and try and keep my routine so that I can perform my best.
Did you know?
Djokovic has a 13-6 record in Olympic singles matches. His losses came against Rafael Nadal at Beijing 2008, Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro at London 2012, Del Potro at Rio 2016, and Alexander Zverev and Pablo Carreno Busta at Tokyo 2020.