SM
Man United vs. Bodo/Glimt: 12 hrs 17 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Novak Djokovic has put thoughts of more history to one side

:Headline: Novak Djokovic has put thoughts of more history to one side:
The world number one is trying to become the first man to win all four majors and Olympic gold in the same year.
Sports Mole

Novak Djokovic struck a confident tone ahead of his bid for a first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo but insisted he will put thoughts of more history to one side – for now.

The world number one travelled to Japan just over a week after defeating Matteo Berrettini at Wimbledon to become the first man in more than 50 years to win the opening three grand slam tournaments in a year.

Now he is targeting the fourth part of a quintuple that would make him the first man in history to win a Golden Slam of all four major titles and Olympic singles gold in the same season.

Speaking at a press conference, Djokovic said: "Representing your country, being part of the team, is something that I treasure, something that encourages me and gives me a lot of confidence, a lot of great energy.

"Even though I'm by myself on a tennis court, I still feel this team spirit is there and the support of team-mates and everyone involved in the Serbian team. That gives you wings to perform your best and try to reach the biggest heights.

"I feel great. Physically, mentally, I'm ready to perform at my best. I've had arguably the best grand slam season in my sport so far, winning three out of three grand slams, so I could not have a better preparation and better lead-up to the Olympic Games. Hopefully I can have another great tournament."

“I know there is a lot of things on the line, I know there is history on the line, I'm privileged and motivated to be in this position.”
- Novak Djokovic

The only Olympic medal in Djokovic's collection so far is a bronze from Beijing in 2008, with the 34-year-old losing to Juan Martin Del Potro in both London and Rio.

He joked he was glad the Argentinian, who is working his way back from more knee surgery, is not in Tokyo but he knows his biggest obstacles may well be his own nerves, with the stakes so high, and the hot and humid conditions that have proved a problem in the past.

"It's still a very long way to a potential achievement, historic achievement," said Djokovic, who faces Bolivia's Hugo Dellien in the first round.

"I put myself in a very good position but I will take things very slowly and cautiously and focus only on the next challenge.

"This is an approach I really need to have because in the past I wasn't probably fully experiencing that approach and that has backfired on me. I started to feel there were a lot of distractions around that were influencing my performance.

"I know there is a lot of things on the line, I know there is history on the line, I'm privileged and motivated to be in this position. I've worked very hard to be there, with my team of course, but let's talk about history if everything goes great here."

Steffi Graf is the only player ever to have achieved a Golden Slam, winning gold in Seoul in 1988, and Djokovic said: "I worked with her husband, Andre Agassi, a few years ago and I also had a chance to spend a little bit of time with Steffi.

"I have the utmost respect and admiration for Steffi and everything she has achieved in her career and the mark that she left in our sport.

Novak Djokovic won his 20th grand slam singles title at Wimbledon (Bob Martin/AELTC Pool)

"When I was thinking about the ultimate achievement that she had, I did not think that would be, I don't want to say achievable, but there's a slim chance that someone could make it again. Right now it seems more and more realistic. Of course that's one of the goals and dreams."

After winning Wimbledon, Djokovic, who also drew level with his great rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on 20 grand slam titles, cast doubt on whether he would be in Tokyo following the announcement that the Games would be held without fans.

"I was in a dilemma for a little bit but I decided to come and I'm glad because there are many more things that are beautiful about the Olympic Games so I'll try to focus on those things that will give me inspiration to play my best tennis," he said.

body check tags ::

amp_article__456527 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-07-22 13:05:49:
html db last update - 2021-07-22 13:05:49 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Novak Djokovic

Share this article now:
CG
Read Next:
Which athletes have already withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympics?
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Novak Djokovic Tennis
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Which athletes have already withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympics?
Disaster for the holders: Slick Liverpool comfortably beat Real Madrid at Anfield
January reunion? Emery coy over potential Luiz return to Villa

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Disaster for the holders: Slick Liverpool comfortably beat Real Madrid at Anfield

1

DF

Preview: Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics - prediction, team news, form guide

2

PC

Thursday's Europa League predictions including Man United vs. Bodo/Glimt

NEW

3

TE

Liverpool suffer double injury blow during their win against Real Madrid

4

LS

Team News: Spurs vs. Roma injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

5

TN

Sacked after 18 games: Championship club announce manager exit

6

SA

Tottenham eye two Championship goalkeepers as Vicario replacement?

7

TE

Advantage Botafogo! Estevao powerless as Palmeiras lose top-of-the-table clash

8

AB

Arsenal suffer new injury blow in Sporting victory

9

AS

Preview: Brighton vs. Southampton - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PB


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .