For the first time in his illustrious career, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic can call himself an Olympic champion.
The 37-year-old knocked off Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in a thriller at Roland-Garros Sunday to win the gold medal that has eluded him. He won a bronze in his first-ever Olympics back in Beijing 2008 but had never reached a gold-medal final.
“Yes! It is,” Djokovic told NBC’s Britney Eurton, when asked whether the gold medal was the missing piece to his career puzzle. I’m always telling myself that I’m enough because I can be very self-critical, and that’s probably one of the biggest battles internally that I keep fighting with myself: that I don’t feel like I’ve done enough, that I haven’t been enough in my life, on the court and off the court.
“So it’s a big lesson for me. I’m super grateful for the blessing to win a historic gold medal for my country, to complete the Golden Slam, to complete all the record.”
Djokovic is also the oldest male player to win an Olympic gold in tennis, knocking off the 21-year-old Alcaraz, who was the youngest player to reach the men’s final.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion completed the “Golden Slam” — winning all four major titles and Olympic gold across a career. He joins Steffi Graff, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams as the only players to achieve this rare accomplishment.
There was some concern about Djokovic’s knee, which was injured during the French Open. He suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee and had surgery on June 5.
During his quarterfinal match against Stefanos Tsitsipas, he experienced sharp pain despite coming away victorious. However, he pushed through and knocked off Lorenzo Musetti in the semifinal.
In a thrilling match that captivated tennis fans around the world, Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Olympic gold medal. The Serbian superstar put on a masterful performance on the court, showcasing his incredible skill and determination to come out on top.
Djokovic, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, has had an illustrious career filled with numerous Grand Slam titles and other accolades. However, an Olympic gold medal had eluded him until now, making this victory even more special for the 34-year-old.
Facing off against the young and talented Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic knew he would have his work cut out for him. Alcaraz, who has been making waves in the tennis world with his impressive performances, proved to be a formidable opponent for Djokovic.
The match was closely contested, with both players showcasing their skills and fighting spirit. Djokovic’s experience and composure under pressure ultimately proved to be the difference, as he was able to outlast Alcaraz and secure the victory.
After the match, Djokovic expressed his joy and gratitude at finally winning an Olympic gold medal. He thanked his team, his fans, and everyone who has supported him throughout his career, acknowledging the hard work and sacrifices that have gone into achieving this milestone.
This victory cements Djokovic’s status as one of the all-time greats in tennis history and adds another feather to his already impressive cap. As he continues to chase records and make history in the sport, this Olympic gold medal will undoubtedly hold a special place in his heart for years to come.