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Olympia 2020: Novak Djokovic and the unfulfilled dream of the gold medal

Novak Djokovic has to wait for a gold medal at the Olympic Games - and was accordingly depressed after his two semi-final defeats on Friday.

by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jul 30, 2021, 09:06 pm

Novak Djokovic still has to wait for an Olympic gold medal
© Getty Images
Novak Djokovic still has to wait for an Olympic gold medal

Novak Djokovic did not have to digest many bitter moments this season: victory at the Australian Open, victory at the French Open, victory at Wimbledon - the year could have started worse for the world number one. At the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the gold medal seemed preprogrammed, but it should turn out differently, as is so often the case in sport.

Because Djokovic had to bury his gold dream twice on Friday: First, the 20-time major champion Alexander Zverev lost in three sets, then he failed alongside Nina Stojanovic in the mixed competition to the two Russians Elena Vesnina and Aslan Karatsev.

"Feel awful"

"It's a tough day, a really tough day. I'm feeling terrible at the moment," said the 34-year-old less surprisingly. In particular, the defeat against Zverev - Djokovic had already led with a set and break advantage - gnawed at the Serbs: "My serve has simply decreased drastically. I didn't get any free points from the score of 3-2 in the second round. My game broke up . "

The next step towards sporting immortality - keyword Golden Slam - should have been taken for Djokovic in Tokyo. For at least three more years, however, the industry leader will still be missing Olympic gold from his collection. A circumstance that is likely to annoy the ambitious Serb, also due to the close ties to his home country.

Djokovic twice for bronze on Saturday

Because Djokovic - it was not only clear since yesterday - wants to underpin his legendary status even more strongly and undoubtedly become the best player of all time. Although the 34-year-old already has numerous arguments on his side, a gold medal would probably have silenced even the greatest critics.

Should the Serb win the US Open in September, this discussion would be over anyway. First of all, the bronze medal is at stake for him twice more in Tokyo. Djokovic will meet Pablo Carreno Busta in singles on Saturday, and Ashleigh Barty and John Peers in mixed.

Here the single tableau in Tokyo

by Nikolaus Fink

Friday
Jul 30, 2021, 09:05 pm
last edit: Jul 30, 2021, 09:06 pm