<p>World number one Novak Djokovic said Thursday he will play at the Tokyo Olympics, paving the way for the first Golden Grand Slam by a male player.</p>.<p>"I booked my flight for Tokyo and will proudly be joining #TeamSerbia for the Olympics," tweeted Djokovic in English.</p>.<p>"With much pride I'm packing for Tokyo and joining our national team in the fight for the brightest medals at the Olympic arenas," he then tweeted in Serbian.</p>.<p>"For me playing for Serbia was always a special joy and motivation and I will give my best to make us all happy. Let's go."</p>.<p>The 34-year-old has already won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles this year.</p>.<p>He needs Olympic gold and then the US Open to become the first man to sweep the Golden Grand Slam.</p>.<p>The Golden Slam has only ever been achieved once in the women's game when Steffi Graf swept the board in 1988.</p>.<p>Djokovic's path to potential gold in Tokyo had already been eased by the decision of rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to skip the tournament.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read </strong>| <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/djokovic-has-time-and-momentum-on-his-side-to-become-greatest-tennis-player-of-all-time-1007733.html" target="_blank"><strong>Djokovic has time and momentum on his side to become greatest tennis player of all time</strong></a></p>.<p>US Open champion Dominic Thiem is also an absentee.</p>.<p>Djokovic won a bronze medal in singles at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing where he was defeated by Nadal in the semi-finals before beating James Blake of the United States for third place.</p>.<p>At London in 2012, he carried Serbia's flag at the opening ceremony but was again a semi-final loser at the hands of Andy Murray.</p>.<p>He was defeated by Juan Martin del Potro in the bronze medal match.</p>.<p>Del Potro also beat him in the first round in Rio four years later.</p>.<p>Djokovic's announcement on Thursday came just four days after he had cast doubt on his participation at the Games.</p>.<p>Having defeated Matteo Berrettini for a sixth Wimbledon title and 20th career Grand Slam crown on Sunday, Djokovic admitted he had cooled on making the trip, saying it was only "50/50" if he would participate.</p>.<p>"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.</p>.<p>The Serb had always insisted he would think twice if the Covid-19 protocols in Japan became too strict and if fans were banned.</p>.<p>All venues at the Games, which start on July 23, will be closed to spectators as the Japanese authorities look to limit the risks of Covid-19.</p>.<p>Foreign visitors have been barred as have family members of visiting athletes.</p>.<p>"That was really disappointing to hear. I also hear that there's going to be a lot of restrictions within the Village," said Djokovic.</p>.<p>"Possibly you would not be able to see other athletes perform live.</p>.<p>"I can't even have my stringer that is a very important part of my team. I'm limited with the amount of people I can take in my team as well. I'll have to think about it."</p>.<p>The Olympics tennis event will also be missing Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Angelique Kerber from the women's tournament.</p>
<p>World number one Novak Djokovic said Thursday he will play at the Tokyo Olympics, paving the way for the first Golden Grand Slam by a male player.</p>.<p>"I booked my flight for Tokyo and will proudly be joining #TeamSerbia for the Olympics," tweeted Djokovic in English.</p>.<p>"With much pride I'm packing for Tokyo and joining our national team in the fight for the brightest medals at the Olympic arenas," he then tweeted in Serbian.</p>.<p>"For me playing for Serbia was always a special joy and motivation and I will give my best to make us all happy. Let's go."</p>.<p>The 34-year-old has already won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles this year.</p>.<p>He needs Olympic gold and then the US Open to become the first man to sweep the Golden Grand Slam.</p>.<p>The Golden Slam has only ever been achieved once in the women's game when Steffi Graf swept the board in 1988.</p>.<p>Djokovic's path to potential gold in Tokyo had already been eased by the decision of rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to skip the tournament.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read </strong>| <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/djokovic-has-time-and-momentum-on-his-side-to-become-greatest-tennis-player-of-all-time-1007733.html" target="_blank"><strong>Djokovic has time and momentum on his side to become greatest tennis player of all time</strong></a></p>.<p>US Open champion Dominic Thiem is also an absentee.</p>.<p>Djokovic won a bronze medal in singles at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing where he was defeated by Nadal in the semi-finals before beating James Blake of the United States for third place.</p>.<p>At London in 2012, he carried Serbia's flag at the opening ceremony but was again a semi-final loser at the hands of Andy Murray.</p>.<p>He was defeated by Juan Martin del Potro in the bronze medal match.</p>.<p>Del Potro also beat him in the first round in Rio four years later.</p>.<p>Djokovic's announcement on Thursday came just four days after he had cast doubt on his participation at the Games.</p>.<p>Having defeated Matteo Berrettini for a sixth Wimbledon title and 20th career Grand Slam crown on Sunday, Djokovic admitted he had cooled on making the trip, saying it was only "50/50" if he would participate.</p>.<p>"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.</p>.<p>The Serb had always insisted he would think twice if the Covid-19 protocols in Japan became too strict and if fans were banned.</p>.<p>All venues at the Games, which start on July 23, will be closed to spectators as the Japanese authorities look to limit the risks of Covid-19.</p>.<p>Foreign visitors have been barred as have family members of visiting athletes.</p>.<p>"That was really disappointing to hear. I also hear that there's going to be a lot of restrictions within the Village," said Djokovic.</p>.<p>"Possibly you would not be able to see other athletes perform live.</p>.<p>"I can't even have my stringer that is a very important part of my team. I'm limited with the amount of people I can take in my team as well. I'll have to think about it."</p>.<p>The Olympics tennis event will also be missing Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Angelique Kerber from the women's tournament.</p>