Djokovic knows ‘history is on the line’ at Tokyo Olympics

TOKYO (AP) — Novak Djokovic is aware of how shut he’s.

Not simply to creating historical past and changing into the primary man to attain a Golden Slam by successful all 4 main tennis tournaments and an Olympic singles gold medal in the identical 12 months.

Certain, that’s on Djokovic’s thoughts as he enters the Olympic event beginning Saturday.

Nevertheless it’s the larger finish product that may be the results of such an achievement that’s weighing most closely on him — surpassing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to be thought-about the best tennis participant ever.

The objective is so nice that Djokovic doesn’t even need to think about the results.

“I don’t need to be a part of the talk. I don’t need to be in comparison with anyone,” the top-ranked Serb stated Thursday. “It’s nonetheless a really lengthy approach to a possible historic achievement.

“I do know that there’s a lot of issues on the road. I do know there’s historical past on the road. I’m privileged and motivated to be on this place. I’ve labored very arduous to be right here. … However let’s discuss historical past if every little thing goes nice right here,” Djokovic added. “Proper now all focus goes to the following problem.”

In Serbia, the talk is already over.

Olympic committee chief of mission Natasa Jankovic launched Djokovic on the crew’s information convention as “essentially the most profitable tennis participant ever.”

By winning Wimbledon this month, Djokovic matched Federer and Nadal along with his twentieth Grand Slam title — having opened the 12 months by capturing the Australian and French Opens. He’s the one considered one of them to have gained every Slam twice. He’s the one one to carry all 4 main titles concurrently, one thing he did over the top of 2015 and begin of 2016.

The one tennis participant to attain a Golden Slam was Steffi Graf in 1988.

“I’m not in contact with Steffi, however for those who can join her, I’d be delighted to ask her how she did it,” Djokovic stated, recalling how he briefly labored with Graf’s husband, Andre Agassi.

“After I was desirous about her (Golden Slam) I didn’t assume that may be achievable. However proper now it appears increasingly more life like for me. After all that’s one of many targets and goals.”

Making issues extra simple for Djokovic is that neither Federer nor Nadal are taking part in in Tokyo.

However that additionally was the case finally 12 months’s U.S. Open, the place Djokovic was disqualified for unintentionally hitting a line decide within the throat with a ball.

“I’ve not skilled too many huge tournaments up to now 15 years with out Roger and Rafa taking part in,” Djokovic stated. “So it’s a little bit bit unusual, to be sincere, as a result of I’m used to seeing a minimum of considered one of them.”

Djokovic will open against No. 139 Hugo Dellien of Bolivia on the arduous courts of the Ariake Tennis Park.

Half of the highest 10 males’s gamers should not in Tokyo, with Dominic Thiem, Matteo Berrettini and Denis Shapovalov additionally lacking for varied causes.

“However nonetheless, a number of the greatest gamers on this planet are right here,” Djokovic stated. ”(Daniil) Medvedev, (Stefanos) Tsitsipas, (Alexander) Zverev, (Andrey) Rublev. These are the blokes are within the prime 6-7 on this planet and they’re the largest candidates for successful a medal.”

Djokovic had overtly thought-about sitting out the Olympics, having gained a bronze medal on the 2008 Beijing Video games.

Ultimately, his want to characterize Serbia and obtain one thing distinctive was too nice.

“It’s essentially the most particular, most historic sports activities occasion within the historical past of sport,” Djokovic stated of the Olympics. “Representing your nation, being a part of a collective crew is one thing that I treasure. It’s one thing that encourages me personally and offers me a whole lot of confidence and nice power for my very own private efficiency.”

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Extra AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2020-tokyo-olympics and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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Andrew Dampf is at https://twitter.com/AndrewDampf