In Pictures: Novak Djokovic all smiles as he finally visits Olympic Village amid quest for elusive gold in Paris; strikes pose with team members
Novak Djokovic has paid a visit to the Olympic Village amid his ongoing men's singles campaign in the Paris Olympics tennis tournament. The Serb was in the company of his team members and shared two photos from his Olympic Village experience.
The Olympic Village at this year's edition of the prestigious Games spans three Parisian communes; L'lle-Saint-Denis, Saint Ouen, and Saint-Denis. It can accommodate up to 14,250 athletes and is slated to be home to 8,000 athletes during the Paralympics, which is set to start on Wednesday, August 28.
Apart from being a temporary shelter for hundreds of athletes throughout the Olympics, the Olympic Village also has provisions to serve up to 60,000 meals every day. An in-house medical clinic is available as well, which athletes can access around the clock.
However, while Djokovic's rivals Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are staying at the Olympic Village, the Serb himself is staying at a hotel with his family. Despite choosing a separate accommodation for himself, the World No. 2 recently made his way to the Olympic Village and shared a couple of precious moments from his visit.
One of the photos featured the 24-time Major winner posing in front of Team Serbia's section in the Village, wearing a Serbia-themed white polo shirt, black shorts, and a pair of white sneakers.
Another photo featured Djokovic posing with two members of the Serbian tennis team's coaching staff, including former World No. 12 Victor Troicki, who retired after losing in the qualifying stages of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships.
Novak Djokovic recently shared his reason behind not staying at the Olympic Village
Before kicking off his men's singles campaign against Matthew Ebden, Djokovic was asked about his decision to not stay at the Olympic Village this year. The former World No. 1 said that the decision stemmed from his need for privacy. The Serb also reflected on his experience of staying at the Olympic Village during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021).
"I simply wanted to have more privacy, more peace and somehow focus on my routine and preparation for the tournament, which is of course the highest priority. I decided to stay at the Olympic Village in Tokyo, I might have... one or two nights before the start of the tournament, but I also stayed somewhere else for the tournament because this one, somehow I feel that it is more correct for me and that it is better for me and for my preparations," Djokovic said.
Djokovic's quest for an elusive Olympic gold medal is set to continue against German Dominik Koepfer on Wednesday, July 31. The Serb has so far breezed past Ebden and Nadal across the first two rounds.