'Because it’s like nothing else' - Novak Djokovic to represent Serbia at Paris Olympics 2024

Novak Djokovic will be playing in his fifth Olympics this year.

ATP World No. #1 Novak Djokovic is set to represent Serbia at the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024 in the men’s singles event.

The Serb recently gave an interview to the International Tennis Federation, where he talked about his honour of representing his country at the sporting megafest. Djokovic was the flag bearer of the Serbian contingent at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He also won a bronze medal at the same edition after defeating the USA’s James Blake in the third-place match. In the 2012 London Olympics, the Serb missed a medal by a slight margin after he lost against Juan Martín del Potro.

Similarly, Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the first round of the 2016 Rio Olympics by Porto before Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta stunned the Serb in the bronze medal match at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Serb has been unlucky on the Olympic stage, and he’s keen to change his fortune in the upcoming edition.

"It's really inspiring, it's unlike anything else"@DjokerNole looks back at his Olympic memories as he prepares to fight for gold in Paris 2024.#Paris2024 | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/QHgbJOJg8i

— ITF (@ITFTennis) May 21, 2024

Recalling his only Olympic bronze medal, the Serb said, “I won a bronze medal quite a long time ago at Beijing 2008. I had the greatest honour of carrying the Serbian flag in the opening ceremony. I haven’t had an experience of the opening ceremony since London 2012, so I really hope that I’ll be able to experience that and enjoy my experience at the Olympic Games [in Paris] because it’s like nothing else.”

The tennis events at the 2024 Paris Olympics will take place at the Stade Roland Garros, which is one of the biggest stadiums across the globe. Talking about the venue, Novak Djokovic stated that playing in front of a different crowd would be a new challenge.

Djokovic said, “It’s also going to be a little bit weird playing in the biggest stadiums in Roland Garros, but actually playing an Olympic tournament. [It’s] also a different crowd, a different public coming to watch you play and support. It’s [going to be] much louder.”

The Serb also lauded the Olympic spirit that unites people and athletes through the medium of sports. Djokovic further added, “That’s what Olympics is all about. Really bringing sport that unites the world and brings people from all around the world to watch you play and represent your country. I just love it.”

Nevertheless, the 24-time Grand Slam winner is currently looking forward to defending his French Open title and maintaining his rank on the tour. If Djokovic fails to reach the semifinals of the French Open, he will lose his ATP World No. #1 ranking to Jannik Sinner.

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