Novak Djokovic has added another remarkable achievement to his illustrious career by winning the gold medal in men’s tennis singles at the Paris Olympics 2024. On Sunday, August 4, the 37-year-old tennis legend defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2) at the iconic Philippe-Chatrier Court. This victory secured Djokovic the gold medal and made him the oldest Olympic champion in tennis history.
This gold medal ends Djokovic’s long-standing Olympic heartbreak, as he had previously fallen short in Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo. With this triumph, Djokovic joins an elite group of players who have won all four Grand Slam singles titles and an Olympic gold medal, thus completing the “Golden Slam”, which includes Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal.
At 21, Carlos Alcaraz had the potential to become the youngest Olympic tennis champion. However, Djokovic’s experience and skill proved insurmountable. The victory was also a form of redemption for Djokovic, who lost to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon 2024 final.
The match itself was a thrilling display of skill and determination, with both players showing exceptional resilience. The first set alone lasted an incredible one hour and 33 minutes, filled with intense rallies that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
Alcaraz dropped the ball in the first set tiebreak, and Djokovic never looked back, with his consistency and experience seeing him through another tiebreak in the second set to secure the victory.
Despite the loss, Alcaraz has had an impressive year, winning both the French Open and Wimbledon titles. However, the Olympic gold medal remains out of his grasp for now. The young star was visibly emotional after the match, highlighting the immense pressure and stakes of Olympic competition.
Djokovic’s victory garnered widespread acclaim and congratulations from fans and celebrities alike. Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, among others, expressed their admiration and congratulations on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
This historic win cements Djokovic’s legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, showcasing his relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to triumph against the odds.
