Novak Djokovic has lastly captured the one factor that has eluded him all through his storied profession: an Olympic gold medal.
On Sunday, the 37-year-old Serbian beat Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz on the 2024 Paris Video games, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2), changing into the oldest males’s singles champion in Olympics historical past.
Apparently, this title meant extra to Djokovic. Whereas celebrating on the clay court docket, he cried, coated his face and dropped to his knees.
“I am overwhelmed with every little thing I am feeling proper now,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion mentioned in a post-match interview, per Ed McGrogan of Tennis.com. “Arguably the most important success I ever had.”
Successful the gold medal furthers Djokovic’s case as, arguably, the best males’s singles participant of all time. He joined Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams as the one gamers to finish the Golden Slam: all 4 Grand Slam titles (Wimbledon, U.S. Open, French Open and Australian Open) and the Olympics singles gold medal.
The match could possibly be thought-about probably the greatest in Djokovic’s profession. Alcaraz is getting into his prime. The 21-year-old won the French Open in June and defeated Djokovic in straight units on the Wimbledon remaining in July.
Though Djokovic gained in straight units, Alcaraz pushed him all through the match, which lasted two hours and 50 minutes. In response to McGrogan, in a 93-minute first set, the highest two seeds within the Paris Video games saved a mixed 12 break factors. Nonetheless, the Spaniard missed on 5 break factors within the ninth sport, costing him.
Djokovic, who hadn’t gained a significant title this season, was additionally coping with damage considerations getting into this occasion. He tore his proper meniscus on the French Open and underwent surgical procedure after withdrawing from the event.
He overcame his challenges, although, and turned in a superb efficiency in what was seemingly his final Olympics.
