"I hope best result for me will come there" - Novak Djokovic sets his sights on Paris Olympics held in familiar Roland Garros
With the 2024 Olympics set to be held in Paris, it is familiar territory for Novak Djokovic. The Serb is a two-time winner on the clay courts of Roland Garros, taking home the title in 2016 and 2021.
While he has won almost every championship under the sun, the Olympic gold is one of the only laurels missing from the World No. 1's cabinet. The closest he ever came was winning the bronze medal in 2008, following which he had two fourth-place finishes in 2012 and 2021.
Next year, however, the 35-year-old is determined to go for gold, provided he is healthy enough to compete in the games amidst his packed usual schedule.
"I look forward to Olympics. You mentioned Olympics. I hope that I'll be able to play healthy for next year in Paris Olympic Games. It's going to be played on clay in Roland Garros, so I'm familiar with those grounds," Djokovic said.
Speaking at his press conference at the Dubai Tennis Championships after his 6-2, 6-3 win over Tallon Griekspoor in the second round, Novak Djokovic also touched on his "desire to win." He stated that it has always been a part of him since childhood.
Having such a strong desire to win is what gives him a mental edge, believes the World No. 1. He also considers it essential to keep him grounded and stay devoted to the sport for so long.
"Well, desire has been always there. I mean, without desire, I feel like there's no motion in any sense of that word," Djokovic said.
"So I always try to be very clear with myself what the goals are, what I want from tennis, competitive tennis. This is the way I've been brought up and been taught by some of the key people in my life, of course including my parents and some of the coaches I had early on.
"This kind of mentality really helped me to always be so devoted to the game. I always remind myself that it's the willpower, the desire to succeed that's essential ingredient in the whole formula," he added.
"Every match is different, but that's the beauty of competitive tennis" - Novak Djokovic
At the same time, Novak Djokovic is not in the habit of taking things for granted. He knows better than anyone else that a lot of things have to come together for a player to win at the end of the day.
With every match being different, the 22-time Grand Slam champion was enamored with the beauty of competitive tennis. He added that he sees it as a reflection of life itself.
While it is important to have a proper team in place, the fact that one always has to figure out a way by oneself on the court and take responsibility for one's actions makes tennis truly unique in the Serb's eyes.
"Of course, a lot of things have to come together. You have to work, have a good team of people around you. You have to have luck as well, which I did in life," Djokovic said.
"I still have lots of desire to break records, to play. Every match is different, but that's the beauty of competitive tennis, is that you never know what the next day brings.
"So you have to figure always out the way by yourself on the court. It's kind of a little bit symbolic to life, as well. Of course, there's a team of people around you, but then you have to take responsibility for your actions."