PARIS — Despite his numerous Grand Slam titles and time spent as the world’s top player, Novak Djokovic had longed for an Olympic gold medal, a significant achievement missing from his impressive career. On Sunday, at the age of 37, he finally secured that gold, defeating Carlos Alcaraz with a score of 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in a thrilling men’s singles final at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The timing of this victory holds little importance compared to Djokovic’s new status as an Olympic champion, which he will cherish forever. The years of waiting and the challenges he faced only deepened his appreciation for this win, evident in the emotion he displayed as he knelt on Court Philippe Chatrier, tears streaming down his face.
“When I take everything into consideration, this probably is the biggest sporting success I’ve ever had in my career,” Djokovic expressed. He didn’t drop a single set throughout the tournament and has become the oldest male player to win the Olympic tennis title since 1908. “This kind of supersedes everything that I imagined, that I hoped that I could experience, that I could feel.”
The match was closely contested, with Djokovic showcasing remarkable composure during the critical moments of both tiebreakers. Alcaraz, who previously defeated Djokovic at Wimbledon, acknowledged Djokovic’s impressive performance under pressure. “That’s why I saw that he’s hungry for the gold medal. He was going to go for it,” the 21-year-old Spanish player remarked, visibly emotional after missing out on becoming the youngest male Olympic gold medalist.
Djokovic now holds a record 24 Grand Slam titles and has spent more weeks at No. 1 than any male or female player in tennis history. Before this, he had an Olympic medal from 2008, but it was a bronze, which he wanted to improve upon. Throughout the week leading up to the final, he emphasized the importance of winning gold to his mission.
Previously, Djokovic had struggled in Olympic semifinals, losing each time to the eventual champion—Rafael Nadal in 2008, Andy Murray in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in 2021. But this time, he felt ready.
In Paris, Djokovic, who had undergone surgery for a torn meniscus two months prior, faced Nadal in the second round and won in straight sets.
The final match, lasting 2 hours and 50 minutes, showcased two of the best players in the world. It featured exquisite ball-striking, deft drop shots, and impressive defense. Djokovic saved eight break points while Alcaraz saved six, both players enduring high-pressure situations.
“We both played at a very high level,” Djokovic noted. “We really went toe-to-toe.”
The event used a best-of-three-set format, a departure from the traditional best-of-five in Grand Slam matches. Fans showed their passion by chanting for both players, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The first set alone extended over 1.5 hours, filled with intense rallies, culminating in a dramatic tiebreaker in which Djokovic claimed the last four points.
In the second tiebreaker, Djokovic celebrated a breakthrough with his arms raised to the audience, before securing his long-desired gold medal with a final forehand winner.
As the Serbian national anthem played, Djokovic kissed his gold medal, a moment he had strived for throughout his career.
Was he ever concerned that he would never achieve this goal?
“There are always doubts. Absolutely, I had doubts,” Djokovic admitted. “But the belief and the conviction that I can make it are stronger than my doubts. It has always been. I knew it was going to happen; it was just a matter of when.”