Thursday, April 25, 2024

Tokyo Olympics: Djokovic goes home empty-handed

Djokovic is yet to get an Olympic gold, his best being a 2008 bronze.

• July 31, 2021
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

World number one Novak Djokovic leaves the Tokyo Olympics empty-handed as he lost the singles bronze medal match to Pablo Carreno Busta on Saturday.

The Serb then went on to withdraw injured from his mixed doubles match for bronze.

World number 11 Carreno Busta wasted a match point in the second-set tiebreak, but the Spaniard never looked back after taking a quick 3-0 lead in the third.

He secured victory in two hours 47 minutes when Djokovic hit a forehand into the net on a sixth match-point.

Djokovic then scratched the mixed doubles he was to contest with fellow Serbian Nina Stojanovic, with organisers stating a left shoulder injury.

The medal went to women’s world number one Ash Barty and John Peers of Australia by walk-over.

Djokovic, 34, is yet to get an Olympic gold, his best being a 2008 bronze, and promised to try again in three years.

“I do have a regret for not winning a medal for my country,” he was quoted as saying.

“Opportunities missed both in doubles and singles. I didn’t deliver yesterday and today. The level of tennis dropped and also due to exhaustion, mentally and physically.

“But, I don’t regret coming to the Olympics at all.

“I know that I will bounce back. I will try to keep going for Paris Olympic Games. I will fight for my country to win medals and I’m sorry that I disappointed a lot of sports fans in my country, but that’s sports,” he said.

His bid for a golden slam also ended in Friday’s singles semi-final loss against German Alexander Zverev.

Sixth seed Carreno Busta also beat Djokovic last year at the New York major, after the Serbian was disqualified in the first set when a ball he hit in frustration struck a lineswoman.

On Saturday, Djokovic sent one racquet flying into the stands early in the third set.

He then got a warning for destroying another one as the final set turned in favour of his opponent.

“It was an emotional outburst and it happens,” said Djokovic. “It’s tense on the court, in the heat of the battle. It’s not the first time and not the last time probably.

“It’s not nice of course but it’s part of, I guess, who I am. I don’t like doing these things.

“I’m sorry for sending this kind of message but we’re all human beings and sometimes it’s difficult to control your emotions.”

Meanwhile, women’s doubles bronze went to Brazilians Laura Pigossi and Luisa Stefani.

The pair saved four match-points in the third set to beat Russians Veronica Kudermatova and Elena Vesnina 4-6, 6-4, 11-9.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Argentines protesting budget cuts on education 

Education

Argentines protest budget cuts to public universities 

The protestors are being joined by professors and students with their union leaders.  

FRSC

Heading 3

FRSC collaborates with judiciary for speedy trial of drivers involved in road crashes 

“All drivers and vehicle owners who caused crashes on the roads would definitely face the wrath of the law.”

Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

States

NDDC to engage youths in internship programmes

A new tech programme is set to be inaugurated. 

Tanzania national grid

Africa

Tanzania shuts down five hydro stations to reduce excess power on national grid

This is the first time the country will be shutting its hydroelectric stations over excess production.

Queue at filling station

Abuja

Fuel Scarcity: Motorists lament as long queues resurface in FCT

They appealed to the federal government to resolve whatever the issues were.