Novak Djokovic has finally achieved his long-desired Olympic gold medal, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious tennis career. In a match of exceptional quality, Djokovic triumphed over Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles final at Roland Garros, winning 7-6(3) 7-6(2) in two hours and 50 minutes.
Historic Achievement
With this victory, Djokovic becomes the fifth player to complete the career golden slam, having won all four majors and an Olympic singles title. He joins an elite group that includes Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, and Serena Williams. The achievement was even more special as Williams was present in the stands to witness the historic match.
The significance of this win was clear. Djokovic celebrated passionately, dropping to his knees and embracing his family and coaching team with tears of joy. He proudly displayed the Serbian flag and expressed immense pride in winning gold for his country.
“I couldn’t be prouder and happier,” said Djokovic, who previously won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “Playing for Serbia has always been my utmost, real pleasure, my priority. I’m just so proud to be a part of an elite number of athletes that managed to win gold for their countries in their respective sports.”
The Thrilling Match
Olympic tennis competitions often occur at inconvenient times in the calendar, sometimes missing top players. However, this match was an exception, serving as an exciting sequel to Alcaraz’s straight-sets victory over Djokovic in the Wimbledon final three weeks ago.
Returning to the court where he sustained a knee injury at the French Open in June, Djokovic played with a brace on his right knee. He started the match strongly, creating a break point on Alcaraz’s first service game. Both players had multiple break points in the first set but managed to hold their serves, raising their game under pressure.
The first set, lasting one hour and 33 minutes, was decided by a tie-break. At 3-3, Alcaraz made crucial errors, handing Djokovic three set points. Djokovic capitalized, winning the set with a forehand volley.
Second Set Showdown
The second set continued with high intensity, though break points were scarce. At 4-4, Djokovic rallied from 40-0 down to deuce on Alcaraz’s serve, igniting chants of “Nolé! Nolé!” from the crowd. Alcaraz responded with a brilliant point, sliding a shot past Djokovic at the net.
The set proceeded to another tie-break. Djokovic’s experience and composure shone through. A stunning cross-court forehand had the crowd on their feet, and Djokovic didn’t lose a point from there. He sealed the victory with a powerful forehand winner and celebrated with a huge roar of delight.
Emotional Victory
Djokovic’s emotions overflowed as he kissed and hugged his wife and children in the stands. This gold medal was Serbia’s second of the Games, and Djokovic achieved it without dropping a set in the competition.
“I was so blessed to win everything pretty much there is to win in my sport, but this is something different,” Djokovic said. “This supersedes everything that I’ve ever felt on the tennis court after winning big trophies. It’s just incredible joy.”
Alcaraz’s Remarkable Performance
Carlos Alcaraz, at 21, aimed to become the youngest man to win an Olympic singles gold medal. Although he fell short, he played a fantastic role in the final, dazzling the crowd with 25 forehand winners. His unforced errors (33 compared to Djokovic’s 25) and struggles in tie-breaks were crucial factors in his defeat.
Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz said:
“I’m really happy about my performance today. I’m a little bit disappointed about not playing my best tennis in some situations, in difficult situations. Tie-breaks, for example, he increased his level at the top and I couldn’t do it, so probably a bit sad thinking about those moments.”
He acknowledged Djokovic’s exceptional play, saying:
“In front of me, I had a really angry Novak, an impressive player today. His level was really, really high.”
Key Takeaways
- Djokovic’s victory marks his first title of the year and completes his career golden slam.
- The match showcased exceptional quality and determination from both players.
- Alcaraz played impressively but was outdone by Djokovic’s experience in crucial moments.
- Djokovic expressed immense pride in winning Olympic gold for Serbia.
This thrilling final at the Paris Olympics will be remembered as a highlight of Djokovic’s career and a testament to his enduring excellence in tennis.(747Live)
