Djokovic sets sights on elusive gold medal at Paris Olympics
Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action against Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor in their round of 16 match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis ATP Championships 2023, Dubai, UAE, March 1, 2023. (EPA Photo)


Novak Djokovic expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, expressing hope of finally attaining the elusive gold medal that has been missing from his impressive list of achievements.

World No. 1 Djokovic won a bronze medal in Beijing 2008 but has been unable to build on that in 2012, 2016 and 2021. The Serbian said he hopes to be fit and healthy for next year's showpiece, by which time he will be 37.

The tennis competition at Paris 2024 will be held on the clay courts of Roland Garros where Djokovic has won two of his 22 Grand Slam titles – in 2016 and 2021.

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

Australian Open champion Djokovic is into a record-breaking 378th week at No. 1 after surpassing Steffi Graf and said he was 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."