Carlos Alcaraz has been a thorn in Novak Djokovic’s flesh in the last few big events but on Sunday, in the Gold Medal match of the Paris Olympics, it was not the case. The Serbian won his maiden Gold medal of the Games by beating the Spaniard 7-6, 7-6.
Djokovic has had a glittering career with 24 Grand Slam titles and he was able to add the missing Olympic Gold medal to his impressive cabinet at the Court Phillipe-Chatrier. With this, the Serb became the fifth player after Steffi Graff, Andre Agassi, Serena Williams, and his arch-rival Rafael Nadal to complete a career Golden Grand Slam.
The top seed was able to up his game in the crucial stages of the tiebreaker and wrapped up the game in two hours and 50 minutes. After the win, the raw emotions were palpable on Djokovic’s face, especially when he went in the stands to meet his team and family.
“We almost played three hours for two sets. It was an incredible battle, incredible fight,” said Djokovic, who was comprehensively outplayed by Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final only 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.
“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.”
Djokovic said it is extra special to win an Olympic medal for the country and he was delighted to get over the line.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Lorenzo Musetti won the Bronze medal after beating Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in three sets.
