24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has called the Olympic gold medal his greatest achievement in his glorious career. The Serbian won the only missing piece in his glittering cabinet after besting Carlos Alcaraz by 7-6, 7-6 at Court Philippe-Chatrier in the Paris Olympics.
The Serb lifted his game against the Spaniard after he was beaten by the youngster in the Wimbledon final. The gold medal match was played for two hours and 50 minutes as the top two players showed their class.
“Just kind of sharing my thoughts, my emotions and experiences of reflection on what is for me, I think now when I look back, the greatest achievement and greatest highlight of my career overall, winning the gold for Serbia,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic had won the Bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but he was on the wrong side of the results on a few occasions.
“Had some heartbreaking losses at the Olympic Games, worked very hard to try to get myself in a position to fight for gold. And at 37 I thought, I don’t know, could this be the last chance? Maybe. So I had to push more than ever, than I have ever done.”
The veteran added that his performance in Paris was one of the best and he felt proud to win an illustrious gold medal for the country at the Games.
“Of course in the finals against Carlos, it was kind of a dream scenario really having my wife and children there, the entire nation watching. Just a very proud moment of experiencing the golden medal around my neck with Serbian anthem and Serbian flag. Very, very special. Probably the most intense emotions I have ever had on a tennis court,” Djokovic said. “I was saying that carrying the flag, being a flagbearer for my country, opening [the Olympic] Games in 2012 in London at the Olympic Games, was the best feeling I had overall in my professional career, surpassed every Slam that I won, until I won the gold medal.
“I think the moment of when I achieved it, how I achieved it, after years of trying, the journey, that was the way it was, I think makes it even more unique.”
Djokovic hasn’t played any professional tennis since winning the gold medal and he will be determined to defend his US Open title in New York.
“I didn’t know about that. I knew it was probably the case for five, ten years, but I didn’t know it was that long. Hopefully that changes this year. I mean, that’s the goal. The goal is always for me to try to go all the way to the finals and fight for the trophy. That kind of mindset or approach is no different for me this year,” Djokovic said. “People would ask me, now that you have basically won everything with the gold medal, what else is there to win?
“I still feel the drive. I still have the competitive spirit. I still want to make more history and enjoy myself on the Tour. I still hope to inspire many young people to watch tennis, play tennis. Those are some of the reasons why I still keep on going. Grand Slams are the pillars of our sport. They are the most important historical tennis events that we have. So if you don’t get pumped and inspired to play your best tennis at Grand Slams, it’s hard to do that anywhere else.”
Djokovic will begin his US Open defense against Radu Albot in the first round on Monday.
