Novak Djokovic has done it. The 37-year-old finally won the one big title he had been waiting over a decade for – an Olympic gold medal
With his wife and two children cheering him on from the stands, the Serb made history for his country and took home their first gold in tennis as he beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3) 7-6. It was revenge for his loss in the Wimbledon final exactly three weeks ago.
Djokovic becomes just the fifth tennis player ever to have won all four Grand Slam titles and a gold medal. He fell to the ground in tears and rushed to be with his family, sobbing as he held his children.
History was on the line as Djokovic and Alcaraz took to Court Philippe-Chatrier for their seventh meeting. Djokovic sought the one accolade that has always evaded him. It was likely his last chance, given that he will be 41 years old for the LA 2028 Games. Meanwhile, Alcaraz hoped to continue an incredible summer after winning the French Open and Wimbledon.
Both men were playing for the gold medal for the first time. Before this year, Djokovic had a 0/3 record in Olympics semi-finals while Alcaraz had never played in the Games. Under the watchful eye of four-time gold medallist Serena Williams, seated in the front row, Alcaraz survived a marathon opening game, saving a break point to level at 1-1.
The fans were divided – they to-and-froed between chants of “Nole” and cries of “Carlos”. After digging himself out of a 0-30 hole, the Serb had three more chances to break. He ripped a forehand return winner straight past Alcaraz and the 15,000-strong crowd responded with a chorus of “Idemo”. But the 21-year-old saved them all and Djokovic could only laugh as the fickle fans turned, booing when he moaned towards his box after missing his chances.
It was the world No. 2’s turn to save three break points but, like Alcaraz, he held on and the rollercoaster continued. The ninth game became a significant battle, lasting 15 minutes as Djokovic saved five more break points and roared in celebration. It looked like it could be crucial but Alcaraz held his nerve and kept himself in the set for 5-5.
The Spaniard saved a set point and, after 84 minutes of tension and quality, the first set got what it deserved – a tiebreak. Both men knew how crucial it was to take it in the best-of-three format. The first mini-break went to Djokovic, who attacked a second serve with a giant return winner. And after an hour and 33 minutes, he took the set 7-6(3) with a volley.
Alcaraz looked distressed at the changeover, covering his head with a towel as he tried to understand how he blew eight break points and lost the set. While the first set allowed Djokovic to play with more freedom, Alcaraz was dragged into some tough games and saved a break point early on.
The world No. 3 looked frustrated as Djokovic held for 3-3. His body language started to change and the Serb was the beneficiary. After leading 40-0 in the ninth game of the set, Alcaraz suddenly found himself at deuce. The “Nole” chants returned and Djokovic edged closer to his first gold but the Spaniard escaped alive.
It was the boost Alcaraz needed, he started smiling again and got the crowd going. The second set headed the same way as the first, entering a tiebreak. With two hours and 40 minutes on the clock, neither man had been able to break yet.
