Despite the physical and mental exhaustion in a demanding season, Novak Djokovic arrived on Japanese soil with the great desire to reap the Golden Grand Slam in one season. What did this mean? Win the four biggest tournaments (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open) and Olympic Games in a single season, something that only the German Steffi Graf had achieved in history. I was three out of five and I wanted to sing a full carton starting with what was disputed in Tokyo …
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Djokovic, heartbroken.
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It was the great desire of the Serbian in the previous one. He was fully focused on his fourth Olympic appearance. “I am very proud to pack bags for Tokyo and join our national team in the fight for the brightest medals in the Olympic arenas. For me, the game for Serbia has always been a special joy and motivation and I will do my best to achieve it. “ He had said in the previous one, after equaling Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in number of Grand Slams (20) in history.
The anger of the Balkan.
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And he wanted to add a new gold to the Big Three (Nadal and Federer already owned it). “I know many things come into play. I know that history comes into play. I feel privileged and motivated to be in this position. I have worked very hard to get to where I am… But we will talk about history if everything turns out great here “, had added a few days ago. However, the illusion was shattered, again. Like it’s a curse at the Olympics. And to top it all, he broke out in the bronze match against Carreño Busta and did not appear in the mixed doubles.
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In Olé we review how Nole did in the previous games, a lot of karma for him when it comes to going for the gold.
BEIJING 2008
In the semis he had fallen against the Spanish Rafa Nadal (finally champion) in three sets. Then he was left with the bronze winning American James Blake in two sets, taking the podium. Quite an achievement in the early years of his career. In doubles he had not passed the first round with Nenad Zimonjic.
Nole with Nadal and the Chilean González in 2008.
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LONDON 2012
Four years later, Nole, who already had five Grand Slams under his belt, hit English soil for more. But he ran into local Andy Murray first in the semis, who outplayed him in straight sets. And now for the bronze, with an old acquaintance, with a man from our lands: Juan Martín Del Potro. Victory in two sets for Torre de Tandil (7-5 and 6-4) and empty hands for the Balkan. In doubles he had lost in the first instance by pairing with Victor Troicki.
Del Potro beat Djokovic in London 2012 and won the bronze medal.
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RIO DE JANEIRO 2016
Already with much more experience, Djokovic was looking for revenge. He had already won the big tournament that was missing (Roland Garros) and was going for the gold medal. However, he ran into Del Potro again in the first round. Fantastic – and unexpected – performance by the Argentine to beat him by a double 7-6 and elimination of Nole, who withdrew in tears. To make matters worse, again with Zimonjic in doubles, he fell in the second round against the local couple Soares-Melo.
Nole with Delpo in 2016.
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Will you go to Paris in 2024, already 37 years old, to remove the thorn? Because of the importance it gives to the Olympic Games, it deserves the long-awaited revenge.
