Home
Amid his dazzling campaign at Roland Garros and fresh off his 100th career title at the Geneva Open, Novak Djokovic—arguably the greatest tennis player of all time—has taken a moment to reflect. As he chases an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open, the Serbian icon opened up about a moment that still stings deeply: the heartbreaking defeat at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Novak Djokovic's pain beneath the triumphs
Djokovic's journey in tennis is defined by resilience, dominance, and a cabinet full of trophies. From winning all four Grand Slam titles in a row to finally capturing Olympic gold in Paris, his legacy is etched in history. But even for an athlete of his caliber, some scars never fully fade.
In a candid conversation on the Neuspjeh prvaka YouTube channel, Djokovic revealed that his most painful loss didn’t come in a major tournament, but rather in the first round of the Rio 2016 Olympics—a moment that still haunts him despite years of success.
Rio 2016: A perfect storm of misfortune
Reflecting on the days leading up to the Rio Olympics, Novak Djokovic recalled being in the best shape of his life.
“I had for a year and a half the best results of my life,” he explained.
At the time, he held all four Grand Slam titles and had prepared meticulously for the Olympics. The conditions were ideal, his practice matches flawless, and expectations sky-high.
However, disaster struck at the worst possible moment. “I finished, and then my wrist started to hurt,” Djokovic shared. Initially dismissing it as fatigue, he quickly realized it was something more serious. “The next morning, I woke up and I could not move... I could not hit my backhand.”
Despite injections and treatments, Novak Djokovic entered his match against Argentina’s Juan Martín del Potro far from his physical best. Del Potro would go on to win silver, but for Djokovic, the early exit was a crushing blow.
“I played an okay match, and I don’t want to take anything away from Del Potro… But for me, that might be the most painful loss,” he admitted.
Given the moment, the preparation, and the form he was in, the defeat was more than just a missed medal—it was a lost opportunity during his peak.
A champion’s vulnerability
What makes Novak Djokovic’s revelation so striking is not just the timing—during another impressive run—but the vulnerability behind it. It’s a reminder that even champions are shaped by their setbacks. As he powers through another French Open campaign, the memory of Rio lingers in the background, driving him forward with renewed determination.
ADVERTISEMENT
