Novak Djokovic’s Olympic Games history: Can world No 1 return from injury and claim elusive gold medal?

Novak Djokovic’s Roland Garros injury is a blow in more ways than one.

Not only did his meniscus tear lead to a premature end to his French Open title defence, but it also meant that he lost the world No 1 ranking to Jannik Sinner .

It has also jeopardised his summer schedule, with the Olympic Games campaign in Paris looking touch and go.

Paris 2024 was Djokovic’s main target for one simple reason; he has never won Olympic gold.

As he faces a huge fitness battle over the next month, we look at the highs and lows of Djokovic’s Olympic record.

2008: Bronze on debut

Having won his first Australian Open title earlier in the season, Djokovic was among the leading medal contenders heading into Beijing.

And the third seed impressed on his way to the last four, dropping just one set on his way to the semi-final – to Gael Monfils in their quarter-final clash.

Djokovic faced a tough semi-final against world No 2 Rafael Nadal and, despite taking the second set, missed out on the gold medal match after a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 loss.

However, he bounced back to take the bronze medal, beating US ace and eighth seed James Blake 6-3, 7-6(4).

He also played in the men’s doubles alongside close confidant Nenad Zimonjic, the second seeds suffering a shock opening defeat to Czechia’s Martin Damm and Pavel Vizner.

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2012: Semi-final stumble

Djokovic was again one of the favourites for gold at London 2012, with the world No 2 having won the Australian Open and reached the French Open final that season.

The Serbian did not have an easy time of it early on, needing three sets to beat Fabio Fognini and Lleyton Hewitt in round one and round three respectively, but then beat fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets to reach the last four.

He was perhaps the favourite for his semi-final against third seed Andy Murray but, buoyed by home support, Murray stunned the Serbian 7-5, 7-5 to deny Djokovic a showdown against Roger Federer.

And there was to be no medal for him this time, losing 7-5, 6-4 to Juan Martin del Potro in the bronze match.

Djokovic also played doubles alongside Viktor Troicki, the eighth seeds losing in round one two Johan Brunstrom and Robert Lindstedt.

2016: Early exits

World No 1 and reigning champion at three of the four majors, Djokovic was the heavy favourite to finally take gold at Rio 2016.

But there was to be more disappointment for the 24-time Slam winner, handed a nightmare opening match against del Potro, who started his resurgence with a shock 7-6(4), 7-6(2) triumph.

Djokovic again also played doubles in Rio, back alongside Zimonjic, with the pair reaching round two before a loss to third seeds and home favourites Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares.

2021: More semi-final heartbreak

Having won the first three Slams of 2021, Djokovic was again the overwhelming favourite for gold at the delayed Tokyo Games, with all eyes on whether he could complete the ‘Golden Calender Slam’.

The world No 1 dominated throughout the early stages of the tournament, and a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Kei Nishikori in the last eight saw him storm into the semi-finals.

However, for the third time in his career, he was defeated at that stage, fading badly in a surprise 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 loss to eventual winner and fourth seed Alexander Zverev.

He was also the wrong side of a surprise result in the bronze medal match, beaten 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 by sixth seed Pablo Carreno Busta.

Skipping men’s doubles action, Djokovic played mixed alongside Nina Stojanovic, the pair reaching the last four.

But they were beaten in two tight sets by Russians Aslan Karatsev and Elena Vesnina in the semi-final, and he withdrew from the bronze medal match to prioritise his singles campaign – a decision that backfired.

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2024: Will he make it?

The nature of Djokovic’s injury means that doubts now circle over whether he will get one final shot at Olympic success this summer.

He is almost certain to miss Wimbledon due to the recovery time, but may well skip the event even if he does recover quickly to focus on his Olympic campaign.

All eyes will now be on whether he returns to Roland Garros this July.