World number one Novak Djokovic has confirmed that he will compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
Djokovic completed the third leg towards achieving the Golden Slam last weekend when he added the Wimbledon title to his Australian Open and Roland Garros triumphs in 2021.
No man has ever won the four slams and an Olympic gold in the same year, with Germany’s Steffi Graf the only player to accomplish the feat in 1988.
“I booked my flight for Tokyo and will proudly be joining #TeamSerbia for the Olympics,” Djokovic said in a tweet.
“I am very proud to pack for Tokyo and join our national team in the fight for the brightest medals on the Olympic arenas. For me, the game for Serbia has always been a special joy and motivation and I will do my best to make us all happy! Let’s go.”
Some of the sport’s biggest names, including Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Serena Williams, Stan Wawrinka and Simona Halep have already announced their decision to skip the Games, which has been delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 34-year-old has won the year’s first three majors at the Australian Open (d. Medvedev), Roland Garros (d. Tsitsipas) and Wimbledon (d. Berrettini), keeping alive a historic opportunity to become the first man to ever to complete a golden Grand Slam. (WTA Tour legend Steffi Graf won a gold medal and all four majors in 1988.)
By winning his sixth Wimbledon title last Sunday, Djokovic joined Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
Djokovic, who became the first singles player to qualify for the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals this month, claimed a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (d. Blake).
