Novak Djokovic is desperate to win Olympic gold in Paris with this next week likely his last chance.
Novak Djokovic is within touching distance of the only real item of silverware he is missing.
Despite the 24 majors, record total of 428 weeks as world number one, and triple career grand slam, Djokovic still cannot rest until he secures Olympic gold.
The Serb was forced on to the operating table after a serious knee injury sustained at the French Open, before battling back against the odds to reach the final of Wimbledon.
Despite the thumping defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in SW19, the Serb is feeling fresh coming into the games, and with Jannik Sinner’s Olympics withdrawal, he looks set to meet Alcaraz in the final once more.
How did Novak Djokovic’s first round opponent react after seeing the draw?
It’s a difficult task facing Djokovic at any point on a tennis court, but with Andy Murray’s last minute withdrawal from the singles, Australia’s Matthew Ebden was parachuted in as an alternate.
Reacting in disbelief on Instagram, the Australian wrote: “When you find out you got alternate into the Olympics singles only to draw @djokernole 1st round to play @rafaelnadal 2nd round.”
Ebden later posted: “Yeah nahhhhh”, as he took in the news that any Olympic ambitions he may have previously had were dwindling by the second.
With a blockbuster clash expected in the second round of Rafael Nadal against Djokovic, the Olympic men’s draw is already looking like it will deliver some truly spectacular tennis.
Despite Ebden and Djokovic never formally having met on the ATP singles tour, there is little doubt that the Serb will bulldoze through their opening round match-up.
Will this be Novak Djokovic’s last Olympic games?
While Djokovic has won Olympic bronze back in 2008, the Serb clearly feels he has unfinished business on the Olympic stage.
At 37, it does feel like this is likely Djokovic’s last shot at the gold medal, with his contemporaries, two-time Olympic champion Murray, and Beijing 2008 gold medallist Nadal already announcing Paris as their final games.
While Djokovic has managed to miraculously remain more or less injury free during his legendary career, his recent meniscus tear in his knee has come at an unfortunate time.
The Serb is just six wins away from Olympic glory, and while Ebden likely provides a less than bumpy start, the prospect of Nadal in the second round is sure to send a shudder down the Serb’s spine.
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