Novak Djokovic (Photo : Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic will start his 2016 Rio Olympics campaign against Argentine Juan Martin del Potro on Sunday at the Olympic Tennis Centre in Barra da Tijuca.
Following a masterful performance at the Rogers Cup, Djokovic is all set to kick start his bid for an Olympic Gold Medal at the Rio Olympic Games when he opens against Del Potro in the first round of the tournament.
The top-seeded Djokovic has always admired winning a Gold Medal at the quadrennial event, but the 12-time Grand Slam winner admitted he has to be "very cautious" after falling short two in the top prize in the last two Olympic Games.
"It would be ranked as one of the highest if not the highest achievement that I would have in my career," Djokovic said, reports EuroSport.
"But I've got to stay humble, I've got to take a very cautious mindset into this Olympic Games. I have a bronze from Beijing, London I fell short but I always played with my heart and all I had when I play for my country."
After an impressive run this season halted by a disappointing loss at Wimbledon, Djokovic is touted as one of the heavy favorites to win the Olympic Gold Medal in the singles competition. But against Del Potro, who defeated the Serb for the Bronze in London four years ago, Djokovic has no room for any errors.
Del Potro's ranking has fallen to 145th after he endured three operations on his left wrist. But at his first Grand appearance Slam in more than two years, the Argentine upset fourth-seeded Stan Wawrinka at Wimbledon last month.
Del Potro, who has only managed to win three of 14 career head-to-head matches against Djokovic, admitted he needs luck at the draw to move further at the tournament, but the 27-year-old Argentine insisted his success at the Olympic Games will still be up to his performance.
"Not being a seeded player you need a bit of luck at the draw, but in the end, my game being how it is, winning will always be up to me," Del Potro told Merco Press.
The winner between Djokovic and Del Potro could face either Joao Sousa or Robin Haase in the second round of the event.
Live streaming info and score updates
Watch 2016 Rio Olympics tennis men's singles: Novak Djokovic vs Juan Martin del Potro live via NBC. Live score updates will be available during game days at ATP World Tour's official website.
