Novak Djokovic added some last-gasp gold plating to his all-time great career in spectacular style on Sunday afternoon in Paris. He battled past his biggest rival, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in his finest display of the 2024 season to complete the final step to the “Golden Slam” of winning all four majors and Olympic Gold.
The 37-year-old Serbian overcame “in-form” Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) on Roland Garros centre court, Court Philippe-Chatrier, to become champion. It was likely his final Olympic tournament, just eight and a half weeks after having undergone meniscus surgery on his right knee. The top seed pulled through a pair of tie-breaks, including in an epic 94-minute first set, to close out victory against his great rival in a match of the highest quality.
“We played almost three hours for two sets. It was an incredible battle, incredible fight,” said Djokovic, who was comprehensively outplayed by Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final just last month. “When the last shot went past him, that was the only moment I actually thought I could win the match. I mean I believed that I could win, but to actually win it, because he keeps on coming back. He keeps on asking me to play my best tennis.”
Djokovic continues “I don’t know what to say. I’m still in shock, honestly. I put my heart, my soul, my body, my family, my everything on the line to win Olympic gold at age 37. I finally did it.” With his victory on centre court, Djokovic fulfilled a long-held objective of clinching the one significant prize in singles tennis that has eluded him for so long. The record 24-time Grand Slam champion was visibly emotional and tearful after firing a forehand winner past Alcaraz to seal his spot at the top of the podium.
“Everything [about this is special], but most of all it is my country,” said Djokovic. “It’s my pride to play for Serbia. I know Carlos and Rafa [Nadal], they love to play for Spain. Andy [Murray] loved to play for Great Britain. Roger [Federer] for Switzerland. Alex Zverev won in Tokyo for Germany. You saw the reactions of all these guys when they win. It’s something special.”
Djokovic had not won a tour-level title in 2024 prior to arriving in Paris, but after claiming gold in the French capital he has become only the fifth player after Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, to complete the ‘Golden Slam’ of winning all four major titles and an Olympic gold medal in singles. The Spanish flags waving and hanging around Roland Garros outnumbered the Serbian ones. But Djokoic still earned his fair share of support. “Nole! Nole!” the appreciative fans in the stands chanted.
One could hear cheers for Novak outside Court Philippe-Chatrier during the women’s doubles bronze medal match. Djokovic will always have his detractors. But his late-career excellence, and more gracious on-court demeanor over the last few years, have gone a long way towards winning over the public who had been skeptical of his Covid-era behavior and anti-vax stance. Playing in the Olympics, a tournament that many tennis pros skip, should continue to boost his popularity.
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