Paris, 5 August 2024 (TDI): To complete career ‘Golden Slam‘ and win the much-needed Olympic title, Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in an exciting match.
At his fifth Games, Djokovic—who has amassed a men’s record 24 major victories and won every tennis championship—finally secured Olympic gold.
In front of a boisterous audience in Paris, the 37-year-old Serb defeated Alcaraz, the winner of the French Open and Wimbledon, 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2). It was his utmost performance of the year.
After an exhausting match that lasted just under three hours, he turned towards his box with his arms outstretched in shock, sealed the victory with a forehand winner, and threw his racquet to the ground.
As soon as Djokovic gave Spain’s Alcaraz an embrace, he started crying and collapsed to the court’s middle.
After that, he raised a Serbian flag and made his way into the grandstands to join his family and his support group in celebrating.
Only Djokovic, along with Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, and Steffi Graf, have achieved the “Golden Slam” in singles, meaning they have won all four majors as well as the Olympic gold medal.
Novak Djokovic stated, “My feelings at the moment of my success exceeded all of my expectations and hopes.” “Not much in professional sport can compare to what it was like to stand on that court, raising the Serbian flag, singing the national anthem, and wearing the gold around my neck. It is unquestionably the greatest athletic accomplishment I have ever had.”
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After the game, 21-year-old Alcaraz broke down in tears as well, but he will go to his first Olympics with a silver medal.
Lorenzo Musetti of Italy won the bronze medal in the singles competition on Friday, defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.
