Novak Djokovic states Olympics are different from other events – Tennis News
World number two, Novak Djokovic of Serbia has said that Olympics are different from other tennis events on the ATP World Tour because one represents his country here, making it like a team competition.
Talking to the reporters a day before the opening ceremony, Djokovic said, “Olympic Games are different from any other event. You don't represent yourself, we don't get to experience that in most of the tournaments that we play
in.”
The Serbian added, "But this is more than just playing for yourself, it's playing for your country and it feels like playing a team competition in a way, everyone staying together and helping each other. You're wearing the shirts
of your country and hopefully we can bring a lot of success to Serbia."
Djokovic is participating in the second Olympics Games of his career. He squandered a lead of one set to lose to the eventual champion, Rafael Nadal of Spain, in the semi-finals at the Beijing Olympics four years ago. However,
the Serbian star did not return empty handed, as he defeated the then world number seven, James Blake, in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(4) to win the Bronze medal.
After a gap of four years, there is a lot of improvement in the status of Djokovic, as he has become one of the leading tennis players of all time. After participating on the ATP World Tour under the shadow of Roger Federer and
Nadal for almost three years, the Serbian suddenly took his game to a new level in 2011.
Djokovic went on a 41 match winning streak at the start of previous season, winning Australian Open and four ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events during this stretch. The Serbian lost his first match of 2011 at the hands of Federer
in the French Open semi-finals but went on to dethrone Nadal from his Wimbledon title, rising to the top of the world rankings. Djokovic defeated the Spaniard again in the US Open final to win his third Grand Slam of the season.
London Olympics are also quite special for Djokovic, as he has been nominated to be Serbia’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony. This is an honour, which a sportsman dreams to have throughout his career.
The Serbian will take advantage of Nadal’s absence, who withdrew from the mega event due to knee injury, and try to win his first Olympics Gold.
Djokovic would be also aiming to take the revenge of his loss at the hands of Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semi-final.
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