Novak Djokovic.[Credit/skysports.com]
This comes after his recent announcement that he will be competing at the much-awaited games.
The Serbian highlighted that patriotism and feelings for Serbia are the main reasons why he decided to take part in the games.
Additionally, he as well revealed that a recent conversation with two-time high jump Olympic medalist Blanka Vlasic inspired the decision.
“It came down to patriotism and my feelings for Serbia. I am not overjoyed about playing with no fans present or about the various coronavirus restrictions effective in Japan,” the world’s number one said.
He said this during an interview with Montenegro’s MINA news agency.
The tennis sensation further said that Blanka told him that the greatest memory that will remain in people’s minds is a player who will carry the gold.
“But representing your country in the Olympics is indispensable. I came across Blanka Vlasic a few days ago and she said that people will only remember who won the medals, not what the conditions were like or whether there were any fans or not.”
Novak reiterated that Vlasic’s words stuck with him and he was delighted that he made the decision to be in Tokyo.
“I am inspired to play my best tennis and confidence that I can win the gold medal after a tremendous run so far this season.”
The Serbian is fully determined to emerge as the first man to win the Golden Calendar Grand Slam. This is after he claimed all three majors played so far in the year 2021.
Continuation
Novak Djokovic.[Credit/tennishead.com]
This happens at last after they were postponed from last year due to the strike of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Djokovic has been in Olympics for three good times. While there, he has been in a position to bag a bronze medal in 2008. In 2012, he, unfortunately, lost the bronze medal match.
In the year 2016, he fell in the opening round. Therefore, he has reiterated that the Olympics are his greatest objective for the rest of the season.
“The Olympics and the US Open are obviously my biggest objectives for the remainder of the season, and it’s going to be demanding.”
“But I am full of confidence and motivated to represent Serbia in the best possible way. I am yearning for a medal in Tokyo, hopefully, gold, and then I’ll go to New York aiming to complete it all.”
Interestingly, if the tennis icon Djokovic bags a gold medal at the Olympics, he will become the second professional tennis player to accomplish the Golden Slam. It was first earned by Steffi Graf at the year 1988.
Nevertheless, the Tokyo Olympics have lost several high-profile players. Some of the players that have withdrawn include Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams and Sofia Kenin.
Other withdrawers are Dominic Thiem, Simona Halep, Nick Kyrgios, Bianca Andreescu, Denis Shapovalov, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber and Vasek Pospisil.
While contracting Covid-19 has been part of the reasons for the withdrawal, there are other reasons why the players have pulled out.
Others have sustained injuries that have resulted in their decisions to pull out.
Novak Djokovic achievements
Novak Djokovic has been the epitome of men on the tennis court. He has had a successful career that has escalated from good to excellent.
His prowess has been largely appreciated and hailed by many tennis fans across the world. He has been an inspiration to many upcoming tennis players and has motivated them to start and excel.
Of his achievements this year, Novak has won the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon. Therefore he has a clear chance of a good performance in the Tokyo Olympics.
Following winning Wimbledon, Djokovic had put himself at “50-50” on competing in the Olympics He had cited the lack of spectators as well as the strict Covid-19 restrictions.
Nevertheless, the Serbian won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. However, he was outshined by Rafael Nadal in the Semi-finals.
Djokovic as well flew the Serbian flag higher in London in 2012. However he was again a semi-final loser at the hands of Andy Murray.
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