How Novak Djokovic has set himself up differently to Rafael Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz at Paris Olympics 2024 

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Rafael Nadal are among the top players headlining the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics set to begin on Saturday, July 27. The draw for the Games will be announced on Thursday, July 25.

In his fifth outing at the Games, Djokovic will be in the quest for an Olympic gold medal, one of the few feats that has eluded the 24-time Grand Slam champion in his stellar career. He claimed a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. That year, he was bested by Rafael Nadal, who eventually won the gold medal.

He was defeated by Andy Murray and Juan Martin Del Potro at the 2012 London Olympics in bronze medal playoffs and later again by Del Potro at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The Serb again made it as far as the bronze medal playoffs in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics but was ousted by Pablo Carreno Busta.

There is little doubt that Djokovic is likely to give it his all in what might be his final shot at taking the much sought-after prize home.

Let's look at some of the ways in which the World No. 2 is setting himself up differently than his rivals Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz for the Paris Olympics.

#1 Novak Djokovic is preparing for the Olympics by taking a 'workation' with his family

Rafael Nadal withdrew from the 2024 Wimbledon, prioritizing the Olympics that will be held in Roland Garros this year. The 14-time French Open champion made the decision not to break his game for grass, keeping focused on clay. He was the runner-up at the recently concluded 2024 Bastad Open (also held on claycourts) in a build-up to the Games. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz honored the commitments that came with lifting the 2024 Wimbledon trophy before getting back to training at his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero's academy in Alicante.

In contrast, Djokovic shared his whereabouts with fans on Instagram with pictures of himself kayaking in Adriatic seawaters of Montenegro.

Novak Djokovic underwent knee surgery in June and bounced back four weeks later to reach the final of Wimbledon. He has had a tough season so far with no title to his name, something unusual for a player who has been World No. 1 for a record total of 428 weeks.

Shrugging it all off, Djokovic is on a workation with his family and is training with Taro Daniel.

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#2 Novak Djokovic will not be staying at the Olympics Village

Djokovic exuded his usual charm at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, making him one of the most popular athletes staying at the Olympics village that year. Not only fans, but some of the starstruck athletes across other sports also started lining up for pictures with one of tennis' greats.

This year, Novak Djokovic has opted for private accommodation, away from the limelight and fame that inevitably surrounds him at the Olympics village.

Compatriots Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal are currently staying at the village and embracing the experience that comes with it. The 22-time Grand Slam champion is one of the star attractions at the village with fans thronging him for selfies.

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3. Novak Djokovic will not be competing in doubles at the Olympics

Rafael Nadal is the 2016 Rio Olympics doubles gold medalist and his experience will be a huge boost to his doubles partner Alcaraz in his maiden appearance at the Olympics. While the duo will be tuning up their doubles games to keep the Spanish flag flying at the Games, Djokovic will keep his eyes fixed solely on the singles prize.

Novak Djokovic entered the 2021 Tokyo Olympics after claiming the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon Grand Slam titles. He was primed for a Golden Slam (winning all 4 Grand Slam titles and the Olympic gold in the same year) when his run was cut short by Carreno Busta.

After the defeat, Djokovic withdrew from his mixed doubles match due to injury. He was to play alongside his partner Nina Stojanovic in a bronze playoff. He received a lot of backlash for a decision that some felt robbed his partner of a chance to win a medal at the Games.