Novak Djokovic set to play Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 if he doesn't achieve Paris dream: "I believe it's possible"
ATP
Novak
Djokovic confirmed his intention to play in the Rome Open and pointed to the
Grand Slams and Olympic Games as his major goals for the year. The world No. 1
has not had the 2024 season he had hoped for, with a semifinal exit at the
Australian Open against Jannik Sinner, followed by surprising defeats in the
round of 32 at Indian Wells against Luca Nardi, and in the semifinals of the
Monte-Carlo Masters against Casper Ruud.
The
Serbian has not been satisfied with his performance this year, and the adverse
results have led him to decide to skip tournaments like the Miami Open and this
week's Madrid Open. Without Djokovic's presence in Madrid, it's evident that
the world No. 1 plans to have a reduced schedule this year.
Djokovic maintains his ambitions for the season
Djokovic
was at the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid and received the Laureus World
Sportsman of the Year award for a record-equalling fifth time. The Serbian had
a dream season in 2023, winning the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open,
completing 24 Grand Slam titles and becoming the male tennis player with the
most Grand Slam titles, surpassing his rival Rafael Nadal (22).
However,
the start of 2024 has not been as expected for Djokovic, who withdrew from the
Madrid Open but hopes to continue playing the tournament in the coming years.
'Hopefully next year, since I am young and have a lot of time left, I can
play,' the 36-year-old said. 'I am preparing my body for Roland Garros,
Wimbledon, the Games, and the US Open, the most important block of the season
for me.'
Djokovic
also mentioned that he does expect to participate in the Italian Open, which
begins on May 6: 'I intend to play in Rome. This year has been different, I
have not had my best level of tennis.'
Djokovic is the 20224 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, surpassing athletes like Max Verstappen and Lionel Messi.
Another
major goal for the Serbian is to win the gold medal for his country at the
Olympic Games, and this year in Paris, which will be played on the courts of
Roland Garros, he will have a great opportunity to finally achieve it. However,
Paris may not be his last chance, as Nole hopes to continue playing at the next
edition in Los Angeles four years later.
“I think about it and I believe it’s possible,
if I didn’t think about it I wouldn’t play. You always have to believe that everything
is possible in life,” he said. “Who knows if I will have the opportunity to
play in other Games. I said I want to play in Los Angeles 2028, but you never
know at this stage how far you can go.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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