Novak Djokovic eyes elusive gold at Paris Games 2024: Looking forward to Olympics

Novak Djokovic said he is already looking forward to the Olympic Games in Paris next year, where he hopes to win a gold medal that has eluded him in an otherwise glittering career. Djokovic spoke about his Olympic ambitions after advancing to the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships with a straight-sets victory over Dutch world number 39 Tallon Griekspoor on Wednesday.

“I look forward to the Olympics,” Djokovic told reporters after beating Tallon Griekspoor in Dubai on Wednesday.

Djokovic has won two of his 22 Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros, in 2016 and 2021. Djokovic extended his undefeated run this season to 14-0 – and his overall winning streak to 19 matches – with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Griekspoor, who has been one of the most improved players on tour over the last two months – in a far more straightforward performance than his opening round in Dubai. Djokovic delivered a flawless performance, dropping only two points behind his first serve and hitting 29 winners with just six unforced errors.

“I hope I’ll be able to play healthy for next year in Paris. It’s going to be played on clay at Roland Garros, so I’m familiar with those grounds. I hope the best Olympic result for me will come there.”

Djokovic, the Australian Open champion, is in his 378th week at number one after surpassing Steffi Graf, and he has stated that he is hungry for more records and success.

“I always try to be very clear with myself what the goals are, what I want from competitive tennis,” Djokovic said.

“This is the way I’ve been brought up and taught by some of the key people in my life, including my parents, and some of the coaches I had early on.

“This kind of mentality helped me to always be so devoted to the game. I always remind myself it’s the willpower, the desire to succeed that’s an essential ingredient in the whole formula.”