Tokyo Olympics 2020: 'It Is Not Secret That I'm Aiming For Gold,' Says Djokovic

KEY POINTS

Novak Djokovic recently won his 20th Grand Slam
He is aiming for a Golden Slam this year
His best Olympic run was the bronze medal win in 2008

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has said he is aiming to win a gold medal for Serbia at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

After winning Wimbledon on the grass court less than two weeks ago, Djokovic is set to switch to hard court for Tokyo Games, which is scheduled to begin on Friday.

In an interview with a Serbian media outlet Monday, Djokovic said representing one's country at the Olympics is a "feeling like no other."

"I've met Blanka Vlašić recently and she told me that in the future people won't remember the conditions or whether there were people in the stands, but who has won medals. Representing your country at the Olympics is a feeling like no other," Djokovic was quoted by Tennis World USA.

Djokovic: I’ve met Blanka Vlašić recently and she told me that in the future people won’t remember the conditions or whether there were people in the stands, but who has won medals. Representing your country at the Olympics is a feeling like no other. #Tokyo2020
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) July 19, 2021

Djokovic, who recently equaled Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam record of 20 major titles, also said he would focus on the US Open after the Olympics.

"It is grueling (schedule), but I am confident because of all of the wins this season. Winning a medal is my goal, and it is not a secret I am aiming for the gold. After #Tokyo2020, I will start to think about the US Open," added Djokovic in the same interview.

Djokovic: It is grueling (schedule), but I am confident because of all of the wins this season. Winning a medal is my goal, and it is not a secret I am aiming for the gold. After #Tokyo2020, I will start to think about the US Open.
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) July 19, 2021

Having won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic is aiming to become the first male tennis player to claim the Golden Slam ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The Golden Slam in tennis is one of the rarest feats. It is achieved when a player wins all four Grand Slams and a gold medal in the singles event at the Olympics in the same calendar year. Stefi Graff won all four Grand Slams and the Olympic gold in 1988, which also led to the term "Golden Slam" and till date, she remains the only Golden Slam holder.

Since most of the top-ranked players such as Nadal and Federer have opted to not travel to Tokyo for the Olympics this year, Djokovic is considered the favorite to win the gold medal. The Serbian player's best show in the Games so far has been the bronze medal win at the 2008 edition in Beijing.

The World No. 1 Djokovic is also the favorite to win the US Open, the Grand Slam that he has won three times already in his decorated career.