A maiden gold medal has been added to Novak Djokovic’s silverware cabinet after battling past Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in one of the all-time classic best of three set matches.
Having won bronze back in Beijing 2008, standing top of the podium was the only achievement missing in Djokovic’s decorated career.
Not for the first time in their past head-to-head meetings, a gruelling service game lasting a ridiculous 15-minutes from the Serbian set the tone to hold for 5-4, saving five break points in the process.
In arguably one of the highest quality contests of 2024, there were flashbacks of the sensational Cincinnati final played last August between the pair - producing three hours and 44 minutes of pure insanity.
A tiebreak was required on Philippe-Chatrier, and the 24-time Grand Slam winner again proved why he is the most clutch competitor on tour; locking in to grab the first set in a mammoth 93 minutes that had a combined 13 break point chances on either side for the taking.
Again, there were no breaks of serve in the following set, and Djokovic sensed the moment after claiming the mini-break in the tiebreak’s opening point, before another shortly afterwards provided the breathing space to rip a forehand winner down the line and become an Olympic gold medalist.
There were tears of unbridled joy for the 37-year-old, who is now the third male player to claim the career ‘Golden Slam’ alongside Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi.
"It was an incredible fight and I had to play my best tennis," an emotional Djokovic told Eurosport before the medals ceremony.
"It was fair that the two sets finished in tiebreaks. I put my heart, my soul, everything to win gold. "I did it for my country first, for Serbia.
“I was so blessed to win everything pretty much there is to win in my sport, but this is something different. This supersedes everything that I’ve ever felt on the tennis court after winning big trophies, it’s just incredible joy.”
Bidding to emulate Nadal’s Spanish footsteps by winning the French Open, Wimbledon, and Olympic gold in a calendar year, a heartbroken Alcaraz acknowledged this is only the beginning.
“My moment will come,” the four-time Grand Slam champion said. “I will bring the gold medal to Spain one day.”
Djokovic becomes the first player in men’s singles to win Olympic gold without dropping a set.
Only eight weeks ago, he underwent knee surgery to repair a serious meniscus tear.
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