Djokovic denied bronze medal at Olympics with loss

Novak Djokovic (SRB). Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Novak Djokovic denied bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics with loss to Pablo Carreno Busta

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 7/31/21

Novak Djokovic entered the 2020 Tokyo Olympics looking for a Golden Slam. He'll now leave Japan without a medal.

The top-ranked Serbian went berserk and abused his racket during a 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 loss to Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta in the bronze-medal match of the tennis tournament on Saturday.

PABLO WINS BRONZE

@pablocarreno91 beats Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 to make the podium at #Tokyo2020 #Olympics #Tennis pic.twitter.com/fCi2k5rax4
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 31, 2021

Novak Djokovic had a tough time controlling his frustration in the final set of the #Tennis #Bronze medal game against Pablo Carreño Busta at the #Tokyo2020 #OlympicGames

Slammed his Racket Off the Net as he Crashed Out of the #Olympics

pic.twitter.com/LpH77zr3Jv
— #Tokyo2020 (@alimo_philip) July 31, 2021

Saturday's loss to Busta marked Djokovic's third defeat in two days. It came less than 24 hours after he was beaten by Germany's Alexander Zverev in the singles semifinals.

Djokovic was supposed to compete for a bronze medal in mixed doubles with Serbian partner Nina Stojanovic, but he withdrew from that match, citing a shoulder injury. The Australian duo of Ash Barty and John Peers were handed the third-place medal.

The 34-year-old was attempting to become the first man to win all four Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold in the same year. He won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon this year and needed the U.S. Open and Olympic Gold to complete the Golden Slam.

Steffi Graf is the only tennis player to complete the Golden Slam, doing so in 1988.

Djokovic's only Olympic medal was bronze in singles at the 2008 Beijing Games.

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