By In a testament to his enduring greatness and unyielding determination, Novak Djokovic finally captured the elusive Olympic gold medal in men’s tennis singles at the age of 37. The Serbian legend overcame Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in an enthralling final at the 2024 Paris Games, prevailing 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in a match that showcased the very best of tennis.
“I put my heart, my soul, my body, my family — my everything — on the line to win Olympic gold,” an emotional Djokovic declared after the match. “Incredible battle. Incredible fight.” This victory adds a crowning jewel to Djokovic’s already illustrious career, which includes a men’s record 24 Grand Slam trophies and the most weeks spent atop the world rankings by any player, male or female.
The road to gold was not an easy one for Djokovic. Prior to these Games, he had been thwarted in the semifinals three times, losing to eventual gold medalists Rafael Nadal in 2008, Andy Murray in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in 2020. His only previous Olympic medal was a bronze from the 2008 Beijing Games. This time, wearing a gray sleeve over his recently surgically repaired right knee, Djokovic navigated a challenging draw that included a second-round victory over his longtime rival Nadal.
The final against Alcaraz was a rematch of their recent Wimbledon encounter, which the young Spaniard had won. It was a contest worthy of a Grand Slam final, lasting 2 hours and 50 minutes despite being decided in just two tiebreak sets. The match was a display of incredible shot-making, deft touch, and superhuman defense from both players. Neither man’s serve was broken throughout the match, with Djokovic saving eight break points and Alcaraz six.
The atmosphere at Court Philippe Chatrier was electric, with fans alternating between chants of “No-le! No-le!” and “Car-los! Car-los!” The players fed off this energy, with Alcaraz gesturing to the crowd after particularly impressive points and Djokovic encouraging their cheers after his own feats of brilliance.
In the end, it was Djokovic’s experience and mental fortitude that made the difference in the crucial moments. He claimed the first set tiebreaker by winning the last four points, and in the second set tiebreaker, he once again pulled away to secure the gold. When the final point was won, Djokovic fell to his knees, overcome with emotion. He then climbed into the stands to embrace his team and family before draping himself in the Serbian flag.
For Alcaraz, the silver medal was a bittersweet consolation. Through tears, he acknowledged Djokovic’s superiority in the key moments: “In the tough moments, he gave it an extra push. It hurts to lose like this.”
The victory makes Djokovic the oldest man to win Olympic singles gold in tennis since 1908, while denying the 21-year-old Alcaraz the chance to become the youngest. It’s a testament to Djokovic’s longevity and his ability to continually evolve his game to meet new challenges.
As the Serbian national anthem played and Djokovic stood atop the podium, he kissed the gold medal that had eluded him for so long. It was a moment of pure joy and satisfaction for one of the greatest athletes of his generation, adding yet another remarkable chapter to his storied career. With this Olympic triumph, Djokovic has silenced any remaining doubters and cemented his place in the pantheon of tennis legends.
