Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz in thrilling two sets game to seal a long-awaited Olympic singles title and complete the career ‘Golden Slam’ at the Paris 2024 Games.
The Serb put in his best performance of the year to beat French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) in front of a packed crowd in Paris.
At 37, Djokovic becomes the oldest gold medalist in the Olympic Tennis event since 1988.
Djokovic, who has won a men’s record 24 Grand Slam singles titles and every major title – from the Masters to the ATPs – in tennis, finally secures a treasured Olympic gold in his fifth appearance.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he won a bronze medal – and he has lost to the eventual gold winner each time – Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012 and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.
“This dream is long lived and fought for. I wanted to compete in the finals of Olympic games for such a long time. Representing my country at a global event is a huge privilege and honor that I cherish. Serbia will have a medal on Sunday,” Djokovic wrote on his official X account, a day befor the final.
He kept his word and lived his dream on the clay courts in Paris.
“It was an incredible fight and I had to play my best tennis. I put my heart, my soul, everything to win gold. I did it for my country first – for Serbia,” Djokovic told Eurosport after the historic win.
“I’m super grateful for the blessing to win a historic gold medal for my country. To complete the golden slam. To complete all the records.”
Having won all four majors and now the Olympic title, Djokovic is in stellar company as only the fifth player to win the ‘Golden Slam’ in singles – following in the footsteps of Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal.
The Serb also holds the record for most weeks as world number one at 428 weeks, followed by Swiss great Roger Federer at 310 weeks.
Alcaraz, 21, leaves Paris with a silver medal on his Olympic debut, and still has time to chase gold in the next Games.
On Friday, Italian Lorenzo Musetti won the bronze in the singles, having beaten Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime.
