World No.1 Jannik Sinner feels the Olympic Gold medal match between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz was played at a very high level. While Alcaraz has troubled Djokovic in the recent past, it was the latter, who claimed his maiden Olympic Gold medal at the age of 37.
The Serbian was able to raise his level at the right time in both the tiebreakers and delivered when it mattered the most.
Even though the match was not taken to the third set, it lasted for two hours and 50 minutes as both players came up with their best.
“It was a very high-level match, I think everyone agrees with that,” said Sinner on Monday, when asked for his key takeaways from Djokovic’s victory after two tie-break sets. “It was a very physical match. When two of the best players in the world face each other at the moment, they produce something very special, so it was a pleasure to watch this kind of match and I think everyone really enjoyed it. We don’t see this level every day, so it was an amazing match.”
Djokovic was also emotional after winning 7-6, 7-6 to add a missing piece to his glittering cabinet.
“Of course, I understand [his reaction], but I think he understands it more than anyone else,” said Sinner, when asked about Djokovic’s highly emotional celebrations after clinching the Career ‘Golden Slam’ in Paris. “He tried so hard to get this medal, which was the last thing he needed to accomplish. He knew this in his mind.
“He was close a couple of times, making bronze or fourth a couple of times. This year was his year, and it was just a very nice scene, to see how much this means to him. Also, the reaction of Carlos after. It is the same reaction, but the opposite way. We work for these kinds of things, success. Obviously, Novak has many more years of expectations also. It’s very nice to see.”
Sinner, who opted out of the Olympics, will look to defend his Canadian Masters title in Montreal.