Paris Olympics 2024: Djokovic Named In Serbian Squad Amid Fitness Concerns
Novak Djokovic appears to be winning his fitness battle in time to compete at the Olympic Games this summer. The 37-year-old was a doubt for Paris 2024 due to a meniscus injury, picked up at Roland-Garros during the French Open. He has since had surgery on the problem, and has now been confirmed in the Serbia squad for the event, alongside Dusan Lajovic, by the Olympic Committee of Serbia.
The 37-year-old 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.
Djokovic has enjoyed a glittering career, lifting a record 24 men’s grand slam singles titles.
The Serb picked up the injury at the French Open during a sensational fourth-round victory over Francisco Cerundolo.
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.
Djokovic had previously stated that winning in Paris this summer was his “priority”.
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.
Djokovic came third in Beijing 16 years ago, beating James Blake in the bronze medal match after losing to eventual winner Rafael Nadal in the semi-final.
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.
