Sunday, December 22, 2024

Novak Djokovic named in Serbian squad for Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Roland-Garros despite fitness concerns – Eurosport

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Novak Djokovic will get the chance to win a first Olympic gold medal this summer, after being named in Serbia’s tennis squad for the Paris 2024 Games.

The 37-year-old has enjoyed a glittering career, lifting a record 24 men’s grand slam singles titles.

But his hopes of lining up at Roland-Garros in July were thrown into doubt by a torn meniscus.

As such, he was forced to withdraw from a quarter-final clash with Casper Ruud.

The injury means Djokovic’s participation at Wimbledon next month is in doubt, and his place at the Olympics had also been uncertain.

But after having surgery, the Olympic Committee of Serbia have selected their star-man for the event, where he will be joined by world No. 56 Dusan Lajovic.

Alongside his Grand Slam titles, the former world No. 1 has landed seven World Tour Finals in his lengthy career, as well as the 2010 Davis Cup.

That means an Olympic gold is the only thing missing from his trophy cabinet.

The 37-year-old came third in Beijing 16 years ago, beating James Blake in the bronze medal match after losing to eventual winner Rafael Nadal in the semis.

He has suffered two further last-four defeats since, to Andy Murray in 2012 and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago, with the latter ending his attempts to win a Golden Slam in 2021.

Fitness permitting, he will be joined in Paris by Murray and Nadal, long-time rivals of Djokovic, who have been picked to represent Great Britain and Spain respectively.

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