By Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
It was the one missing piece in the puzzle in career in Novak Djokovic.
But in a dazzling display of tenaciousness and shot-making in what may be considered the greatest two-set tennis match of all time, Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(2), 7-6 (3) to win the Olympic gold medal in the Paris Olympics, the one big title that Djokovic had not won in his career.
“Overwhelmed with everything that I’m feeling right now, feelings of different emotions, of course, positive. Too proud. Too happy. Thrilled with the possibility to fight for a gold and to win a gold for the first time in my career for my country. Arguably, the biggest success I ever had,” said Djokovic to Peacock TV reporter Brittany Eurton moments after his victory. “Of course, I won everything that is to win, probably, in my individual career, but winning Davis Cup and particularly gold medal at Olympic Games for Serbia at age 37 is unprecedented.”
“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,” he continued.
The winner of 24 career major singles titles, a record among men, the man from Serbia had yet to win the gold medal at the Olympic Games as he entered his fifth career Olympiad this year. The “Career Golden Grand Slam” had only been won by two other men, Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal, and two women, Steffi Graf and Serena Williams, since tennis returned to the Olympic program in 1988. It was the main focus for Djokovic for years, who holds an immense pride playing for his country.
Djokovic tripped near the finish line three previous times, losing Olympic semifinals in 2008 to Nadal, in 2012 to Andy Murray and in 2021 to Alexander Zverev (all the eventual Gold Medalists). He also tripped at the starting line in 2016, falling in the first round of the event to eventual silver medalist Juan Martin del Potro.
Djokovic entered the 2024 Olympic Games on shaky ground, having not won a tournament all year (having won 98 in his career previously) while also having to undergo knee surgery after an injury in his fourth round match at the French Open, causing him to withdraw from the tournament. His status for Wimbledon and the Olympics were in doubt but a miraculous recovery helped him compete in both, losing to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final and winning the Gold over Alcaraz in Paris.
“It’s a staggering achievement considering his fitness level this year and the fact he hadn’t won one tournament this year,” said Mary Carillo on the Peacock TV coverage of the final. “It’s the only hole in his resume and it’s filled.”
“He’s the greatest tennis player we have ever seen play this game,” said Rennae Stubbs on Peacock “For him to finally to get this reward of a gold medal. There is no one more deserving of singles gold medal at the Olympics, his fifth attempt at doing so. He loves his country so, so much.”
“There was no tournament, no victory that was going to be more important to Novak Djokovic this year than this one,” Stubbs continued. “He has own every Grand Slam title. He holds the record for the most. There is nothing more important than what he has done today.”
In addition to all four major singles titles and now the Olympics, Djokovic has also won all nine of the elite “Masters 1000” level events on the ATP Tour, the only man to do so, as well as the year-end ATP World Tour Finals championship. He also led Serbia for the Davis Cup title in 2010.
