Watch - Novak Djokovic practices ahead of the 2024 US Open

Novak Djokovic’s 2024 season seemed to be on shaky ground until the Paris Olympics, where the Serbian champion finally captured the elusive gold medal, lifting a massive weight off his shoulders. The Olympic Games had become a sort of curse for Djokovic, particularly after disappointing results in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

As the tournament in Paris progressed, Djokovic elevated his game, ultimately delivering a stunning performance in the final against Carlos Alcaraz. The young Spaniard, favored by bookmakers, was left surprised as Djokovic outplayed him, reaffirming his status as one of the greatest athletes in tennis history. The 24-time Grand Slam champion made it clear that he’s far from finished, even expressing his desire to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when he will be 41.

Looking ahead, Djokovic’s next major goal is the US Open, the final Grand Slam of 2024, set to begin in just over a week in New York. While he claimed the title last year, defending it this time will be a formidable challenge. Djokovic enters the tournament as an underdog behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have claimed the year’s other three Majors (Sinner won the Australian Open, while Alcaraz took home the French Open and Wimbledon titles).

After his Olympic triumph, Djokovic took a brief break, spending time with friends and family and opting to skip the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters 1000 events. He was later spotted in Montenegro, where he resumed training for the US Open. Reflecting on his Olympic victory, Djokovic described it as the pinnacle of his career: “The long-awaited gold. I entered these Olympics without a trophy, carrying an injury. Many doubted my tennis, but I secretly believed this might be my last chance to win gold. It was one of my best tournaments; I didn’t lose a set. I felt the support of the people. If there was ever a moment, it was now. Without false modesty, this is my greatest sports achievement, and I proudly carry this gold for Serbia.”

Earlier in the season, Djokovic struggled with motivation and faced several unexpected losses, including a knee injury during the French Open that required surgery. He returned to Wimbledon but fell short in the final against Alcaraz. Reflecting on his doubts leading up to the Olympics, Djokovic admitted: “Doubts always exist, but faith and belief in my goals are always stronger. I knew this was my last chance for Olympic gold, so I had to focus fully. Nothing will ever surpass seeing myself on the podium, listening to the Serbian anthem with the flag raised.”

Despite the challenges, Djokovic remains undeterred and continues to set an example for the younger generation of players. Top coach Patrick Mouratoglou believes Djokovic still has several years left at the highest level: “I think Novak can play three or four more years at the top. The real question is his motivation. He struggled with that until the Olympics, but winning the gold has reignited his drive. With Rafa Nadal returning to form and young stars like Sinner and Alcaraz pushing him, Novak’s competitive fire is back. He needed that competition to be the greatest, and now he’s ready to show he’s still on top.”

As the season winds down, Djokovic is in the race to finish at the top of the ATP rankings, though he’s made it clear that this is no longer his primary focus. After the US Open, he will participate in an exhibition match with Grigor Dimitrov before heading to Shanghai, signaling that Djokovic’s journey in tennis is far from over.