Becker: "The defeat against del Potro in Rio 2016 was one of Djokovic's biggest disappointments"

One of the most beautiful stages of the year has arrived with the upcoming Olympic Games, just hours away from starting. Athletes from all countries will come together for a common goal: to bring a medal home. Among them, Novak Djokovic will participate in an Olympic event for the fifth time, having won bronze in 2008. However, this time the Serbian will aim for the gold that is missing from his impressive record in Paris. It seems to be something that has eluded him, making it his main goal for 2024 from the outset.

At 37 years old, he will once again attempt this, representing Serbia, something he cherishes. Djokovic has always said that he gives his best when playing for his country, hence there is no better way to show it than at Paris 2024. In that context, Boris Becker knows his former protégé well and wanted to highlight the importance of Djokovic in his home country. “I don't know if you understand the importance of Novak Djokovic in Serbia, he could be president, he could be anything. He is a true icon in Serbia, and that's why it's logical that he wants to represent his country on a global stage. There is no better place to do that than the Olympic Games,” said the German on Eurosport.

The former German number 1 was by Djokovic's side in many moments of his career and also traveled with him to the Rio 2016 Olympics, an experience from which he realized something. “I was lucky to be the head coach of the Serbian team in Rio 2016. I worked with all the Serbian players, stayed in the village, and by then, he was already a superstar. You can't imagine the expectation and power he has when he plays for Serbia. That event in 2016 allowed me to understand it,” confessed the German.

There, Djokovic had high hopes after winning the Australian Open and Roland Garros that year. However, Nole surprised everyone by losing in the first round to Juan Martín del Potro, a defeat that deeply affected him: “Then he lost to Del Potro in the first round, and you couldn't talk to him for the first days because he was devastated. It was one of the biggest disappointments of his career, but there you have it. He has so many great victories in his career, but you could see the disappointment. He showed how proud he is of being Serbian. He loves his country more than anything else in the world, and that's why these Olympics will be so important for him”.

"Playing for Serbia will give him the additional 10% he needs"

Djokovic approaches this Olympic event by leaving behind the ghosts of the past and focusing on one of the greatest achievements still ahead of him. Like Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray who have gold medals, the Serbian will strive to join them and end his career on a high note. Thus, Nole has had no problem admitting that this is his main goal this season, something that Becker admires. “Novak was very transparent and open at the beginning of the year about the fact that his most important tournament would be the Paris Olympics."

“This doesn't mean he didn't take the Roland Garros or Wimbledon Grand Slams seriously, but he has never won an Olympic gold, and if you have won everything else there is to win, it's normal to want to win the one missing from your trophy case. With that in mind, I expect to see a very motivated Novak Djokovic at these Olympic Games. Playing for Serbia will give him the additional 10% he needs against these great young players emerging now”, Becker said.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Becker: "La derrota contra del Potro en Río 2016 fue una de las mayores decepciones de Djokovic"