Update: Novak Djokovic breaks silence on Olympics after criticism for racket-throwing tantrum

The world number one missed out on the chance to complete the calender Golden Slam after losses in the semi-final and bronze medal match but has now said he will play Paris 2024. Novak Djokovic has opened up on competing in the Olympics for the first time since losing his bronze medal match to

Pablo Carreno Busta. The world number one let his anger get the better of him as he destroyed two rackets in the third set and later withdrew from his mixed doubles bronze medal match. He had been aiming to complete the calendar Golden Slam, winning all four Majors and Olympic gold in one year.

The Serb was heavily criticised for hurling a racket into the empty stands after failing to convert a break point during the third set of his bronze medal singles match. After losing to Carreno Busta, he withdrew from the mixed doubles third-place playoff citing a shoulder injury, costing his compatriot Nina Stojanovic the chance to fight for a medal.

Djokovic was the favourite to secure a gold medal in the singles event at Tokyo 2020, with his chances boosted by the withdrawals of top players including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Olympic gold had always evaded him but the 20-time Grand Slam champion stormed his way through the draw and looked set to make it to the final when he was a set and a break up on Alexander Zverev in their semi-final encounter.

However, he went on to lose the match and found himself in the bronze playoff for the third time in his career, having secured the medal at Beijing 2008, and then falling to Juan Martin del Potro at London 2012.

It wasn’t to be for the Serb in Tokyo, and he has remained quiet since, but last night he took to Instagram to write an emotional post about his time at the Olympics, as well as sharing a flurry of stories to congratulate every tennis medallist across all the events.

Sharing a snap in front of the iconic Olympic rings with members of Team Serbia, Djokovic wrote: “It was a true privilege to represent Serbia at the Olympics. Thank you Tokyo and everyone that helped us come together for the magic of sport.

“I know in my heart I gave it everything to fight for a medal, and I’m looking forward to coming back stronger in Paris. This was an unbelievable experience I will never forget. Good luck to all the Serbian athletes still competing for a medal.”