Novak Djokovic Will Leave The Tokyo Olympics Without Any Medals
Novak Djokovic will be heading home without any medals from the Tokyo Olympics. The world number 1 failed to reach the podium for the third Olympics in a row after losing two consecutive matches and withdrawing from the mixed doubles event, citing a shoulder injury.
Novak, who has been unstoppable throughout this past year lost his singles semi-finals match to Alexander Zverev of Germany. He seemed to have great traction in the first set of the match, winning 6-1, but all went downhill after that. The match concluded with a final score of 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 in Zverev’s favor. Zverev will now play in the finals against Karen Khachanov from Russia on Sunday.
The upset defeat knocks Novak out of contention for winning the “golden slam”, a prestigious accomplishment where a player wins all 4 grand slams of the year, and also wins gold at the Olympics in the same year. In my opinion, had Novak achieved the golden slam, he would have been the undisputed GOAT of tennis. With Djokovic out of contention for the golden slam, Steffi Graff remains the only player to ever complete the feat.
After Novak Djokovic lost his semi-finals match, he played Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain for the bronze medal. This match brought yet another upset, as Busta defeated Djokovic 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3.
Novak Withdrew From The Mixed Doubles Tournament
Aside from the singles competition, Novak Djokovic was also competing in the mixed doubles tournament with playing partner Nina Stojanovic. The two were set to play in a bronze medal match against the Australian team, however, Djokovic withdrew from the match due to a shoulder injury. The withdrawal stripped Novak of any chance of winning a medal this year. Instead, Ash Barty and Josh Peers of Australia will take home the bronze medal.
Novak Djokovic provided a statement on his withdrawl from the mixed doubles tournament, “I’m sorry to Nina for not being able to play but my body just gave up. I’m sorry that I disappointed a lot of sports fans in my country, but that’s sport. I gave it all, whatever I had left in the tank, which was not so much. I left it out on the court.”
VIA cbsnews.com
The Bronze Medal Match Wasn’t Too Pretty
A chance at winning a medal at the Olympics wasn’t the only thing Djokovic lost today, he also lost a couple of rackets through frustration. While playing Busta, Novak threw a racket into the stands in anger and then threw another racket into the net. The umpire appointed a warning for his second racket throw.
Novak explained his actions in a post-match interview, “It’s part of, I guess, who I am, I don’t like doing these things. I’m sorry for sending this kind of message, but we’re all human beings, and sometimes it’s difficult to control your emotions.”
VIA fox2now.com
The loss and withdrawal for Novak Djokovic definitely come as a major disappointment. However, he did state that he hopes to play in the next Olympics.
“I know that I will bounce back. I will try to keep going for the Paris Olympic Games.” He continued, “I will fight for my country to win medals. Sorry that I disappointed a lot of sports fans in my country, but that’s sport.”
VIA reuters.com
Fortunately for Novak, he still has the chance at completing the “calendar slam” which is an accomplishment where a player wins all 4 grand slams in a single year. The feat has only been completed by two men in the past. Novak’s victory at each of the 3 grand slams this past year set him up to achieve the calendar slam by winning the US Open which starts on August 30th.
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