Novak Djokovic threw a racket into the stands, smashed another, then skipped his doubles match in an Olympic meltdown

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Novak Djokovic threw a racket into the stands, smashed another, then skipped his doubles match in an Olympic meltdown
Novak Djokovic couldn't continue on at the Olympics. Seth Wenig/AP Images
  • Novak Djokovic lost his Olympics bronze medal singles match, then withdrew from a doubles match.
  • Djokovic lost his cool in the singles, throwing a racket in the stand, then smashing another.
  • Djokovic said he was physically and mentally exhausted but planned to play in Paris 2024.
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Novak Djokovic ended his run at the Tokyo Olympics frustrated and medal-less on Saturday.

After coming up short in his quest for a "Golden Slam" - all four tennis slams, plus an Olympic gold medal in one year - Djokovic melted down in his bronze medal singles match.

In a decisive third set against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, Djokovic grew frustrated after losing a point and threw his racket into the spectator-less stands.

Novak Djokovic threw a racket into the stands, smashed another, then skipped his doubles match in an Olympic meltdown
via NBC

The racket cleared five rows of stands before landing on a stairway.

Novak Djokovic threw a racket into the stands, smashed another, then skipped his doubles match in an Olympic meltdown
via NBC

Several games later, Busta had broken Djokovic's serve to take control of the set. After losing a point, Djokovic slammed his racket into the net. He received a warning from the umpire.

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Novak Djokovic threw a racket into the stands, smashed another, then skipped his doubles match in an Olympic meltdown
Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images

Djokovic lost the match, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3.

Commenting on his outbursts, Djokovic said it can be difficult to control his emotions.

"It's part of, I guess, who I am,'' Djokovic said. "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.''

Djokovic said the physical and mental exhaustion of the Olympics had taken a toll on him.

"I just didn't deliver yesterday and today," Djokovic said. "The level of tennis dropped. Also, due to exhaustion - mentally and physically. I gave it [my] all, whatever I had left in the tank, which was not so much.''

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Djokovic was scheduled to play in a bronze medal match in mixed doubles with Serbian partner Nina Stojanovic later on Saturday. Djokovic withdrew from the tournament, citing a shoulder injury, leaving Stojanovic without a chance to compete for a medal. The Australian duo of Ashleigh Barty and John Peers won the bronze medal without playing the match.

"I'm sorry to Nina for not being able to play, but my body just gave up,'' Djokovic said.

Djokovic said he played through "unbelievable pain and exhaustion" during the Olympics.

Djokovic has said the heat in Tokyo was making the conditions difficult throughout the games, calling them the toughest conditions he had ever experienced in tennis.

"I've played tennis now professionally for 20 years, and I've never faced this kind of conditions in my entire life on a consecutive daily basis," Djokovic said.

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An Olympic gold is perhaps the last major feat Djokovic has left to accomplish. He told reporters on Saturday that he planned to play in the Paris Olympics in 2024.

"[I've] had some heartbreaking losses at the Olympic Games and some big tournaments in my career," Djokovic said. "And I know that those losses have usually made me stronger ... I know that I will bounce back. I will fight for my country to win medals.''

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