Tokyo (AFP)

Hard end of the Games for Novak Djokovic: the Serbian, world No. 1, who came to Tokyo to win Olympic gold, finally left without any medals and with an injury, one month before the US Open where he aims for the Grand Slam.

In the space of 24 hours, the Serbian, big favorite of the Olympic tournament and who had appeared very solid in the first rounds, had three losses - two in singles, one in mixed doubles - and a forfeit, due to an "injury to the left shoulder, "according to the International Tennis Federation.

- exhaustion -

"I hope that physically it won't be a problem for me at the US Open (August 30-September 12), but it's something that I'm not sure at the moment," explained Djokovic. , who dropped out of the mixed bronze medal match.

# photo1

Already holder of 20 major titles, including three won this year, Djokovic could, if he wins in New York, achieve the Grand Slam, a feat only accomplished by Rod Laver in 1969 in the Open era.

"But I don't regret that I gave my all here, because at the end of the day when you play for your country, it's something that needs to be done," he added, explaining that the The sudden drop in his playing level was "also due to exhaustion, mental and physical".

The Serbian indeed pays a heavy price for his trip to Japan.

The first blow fell on his head on Friday.

Beaten in the semifinals by the German Alexander Zverev in three sets, he saw his dream of winning Olympic gold, the only title still missing from his prestigious record, collapse.

The world No. 1 yet arrived favorite after a series of 22 wins and after losing no set - and only 17 games - in four games.

But while he had a set and a break in advance, the Serbian machine suddenly seized, allowing the German to chain eight games, before winning.

Hours later, "Djoko" conceded a second loss, in mixed doubles this time, with compatriot Nina Stojanovic against Russians Elena Vesnina and Aslan Karatsev.

At a press conference, he appeared very dejected.

"My game has collapsed. (...) I feel terribly bad", then briefly declared Djokovic, who could then still hope to win two bronze medals, in singles then in mixed doubles.

- 24h of nightmare -

But the Serbian's nightmare continued on Saturday.

Defeated in singles by the Spaniard Pablo Carreno (11th), 6-4, 6-7 (8/6), 6-3, he saw his last chance to win a medal in singles fly away.

# photo2

Frustrated, he threw his racket into the empty stands of Ariake Arena Park, at the start of the third set, before smashing it to the ground a few minutes later.

"I was overwhelmed by my emotions. (...) This is not the first time that this has happened to me nor probably the last. But I don't like to act like this, I'm sorry".

For the record, Carreno had already derailed the Serbian last year at the US Open.

Which had led him to be disqualified from the tournament after throwing a ball that inadvertently hit a linesman.

Despite these setbacks, Djokovic, bronze medalist in Beijing and who has since been disillusioned with the Games - 4th in London, released in the first round in Rio - refuses to be defeated.

"I know I will bounce back. I will try to continue until the Paris 2024 Games and fight again to win medals for my country," said the 34-year-old.

“I'm sorry that I disappointed a lot of sports fans in my country. But this is sport, I gave everything I had, everything I had left in the tank, which in the end didn't was not that much. "

© 2021 AFP