Novak Djokovic to play Tokyo Olympics, to represent Serbia with ‘much pride’

Novak Djokovic, who recently won the Wimbledon, said on Thursday that he will participate in the Tokyo Olympics. “I booked my flight for Tokyo and will proudly be joining #TeamSerbia for the Olympics,” tweeted Djokovic.

Djokovic has won three Grand Slams this year – the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. If he wins the Olympic Gold and the US Open, he will become the first man to achieve the feat, which is also known as the Golden Grand Slam.

The 34-year-old’s announcement came just four days after he had cast doubt on his participation at the Games.

Last week, Djokovic defeat Matteo Berrettini to clinch his sixth Wimbledon title. With the win, he also went up to a record-equalling 20 career Grand Slams. After the match, Djokovic had said that is chances of participating in the Tokyo Olympics were 50/50

“I’ll have to think about it. As I said, my plan was always to go to the Olympic Games.

“But right now I’m a little bit divided. It’s kind of 50/50 because of what I heard in the last couple of days,” said Djokovic at the All England Club.

The world number one has been saying from the start that he would think twice about participating in the Olympics if Japan imposed strict COVID-19 restrictions and banned fans at the marquee event.

All venues at the Games, which start on July 23, will be closed to spectators as the Japanese authorities look to limit the dangers of COVID-19.

Foreign visitors had already been barred as had family members of visiting athletes.

“That was really disappointing to hear. I also hear that there’s going to be a lot of restrictions within the Village,” said Djokovic.

Fellow Grand Slam title winners Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Dominic Thiem and Angelique Kerber have all withdrawn from the Games.