Paris 2024 Olympics – Tennis – Men’s Singles Gold Medal Match – Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France – August 04, 2024. Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning gold against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain. REUTERS/Edgar Su
Novak Djokovic has finally completed the career Golden Slam. He defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in a thrilling and competitive match that was tightly contested from beginning to end. He now has the Olympic gold medal he has sought his entire 20-year career.
Alcaraz, 21 and at his first Olympics, fought hard, but he wasn’t quite as disciplined as the far more experienced Djokovic. As the match wore on and Alcaraz couldn’t get any breathing room between him and Djokovic, he began to get frustrated, talking to (and sometimes yelling at) himself between points. That’s always a red flag for Alcaraz, who is at his best when he’s smiling and enjoying the match. But he couldn’t control this one, and Djokovic, playing his best tennis since 2023, refused to yield.
Until now, Djokovic hadn’t won a single title this season. And for the first time in 14 years, the 37-year-old hadn’t won any of the first three Grand Slams of the year. But he put on a show of grit and patience, and combined with Alcaraz’s athleticism and showmanship, it was a match for the ages. Alcaraz can be proud of his silver medal and of how hard he played against Djokovic, who seemed to have his old magic back. But for Djokovic, this gold medal has finally filled the one gaping hole in his long, trophy-studded resume.
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Novak Djokovic isn’t known to be the most emotional guy, so watching his response to winning an Olympic gold medal should tell you how much it means to him. After rising off the clay, he continued to weep in his courtside chair. He kept crying and shouting with excitement as he was led up into the stands to meet his ecstatic team.
Once up there, he grabbed his daughter (who had been adorably holding up a sign supporting her dad all match) as his wife, son, and entire team encircled him in a massive embrace.
Djokovic’s emotions spill out after achieving career dream
Here’s Djokovic’s winning moment.
Djokovic wins it! He wins the gold medal!
Djokovic has won his long-sought gold medal!
After meeting Alcaraz at the net for a sincere and friendly congratulations, he drops to his knees on the clay and sobs. He then raises his arms to the sky and makes the sign of the cross with tears streaming down his face.
Three points away for Djokovic
Djokovic is incredible. He is still finding ways to challenge Alcaraz, even three hours into the match. He leads 4-2 in the tiebreak.
It comes down to the tiebreak
Djokovic knows how to bring out his best shots when it counts the most. Down 5-6 and seeing a third set quickly approaching, he bageled Alcaraz to tie the set 6-6.
Now Djokovic needs just seven points to capture the one title that has eluded him over his 20-year career: Olympic champion.
Tied! Again!
Djokovic and Alcaraz are tied 5-5 in the second set.
Alcaraz needs to win one of the next two games to stay in the match. If he can’t, the gold medal belongs to Djokovic.
Alcaraz takes the lead again in second set!
The tennis has been masterful, but Alcaraz has the slight edge. He had answers for everything Djokovic threw at him in the last game, winning to put himself up 5-4 in the second set. He needs to win one more game to even the match at one set apiece.
Alcaraz fading, Djokovic surging… or is it the other way around?
The tone of this match changes from point to point. Djokovic and Alcaraz are playing phenomenal tennis, and now both are frustrated with various things. Djokovic has been frustrated with his box, insisting that they haven’t been helping him for the past two hours. Alcaraz is frustrated with himself for blowing some easy returns.
Djokovic is three games away
Djokovic hasn’t been free of errors, but he’s mostly managed to restrict them to moments when he’s not at risk of losing a game. Alcaraz has not.
In the last game, Djokovic tied the set 3-3 after Alcaraz hit an easy drop shot directly into the net. Djokovic needs just three more wins to take home the gold, and if Alcaraz keeps making mistakes like that, he just might do it.
Alcaraz, with 30 forced errors, is under a lot of pressure from Djokovic. But the unforced errors, currently at 26, have been causing him even more issues. He’s made some puzzling shots today, launching forehands high in to the stratosphere before they inevitably fall out of bounds.
Despite that, Alcaraz is still hitting shots that Djokovic can’t understand. Numerous times this match he’s hit what would normally be a winner, only to see Alcaraz return it and take the point. Djokovic then stands there, hands on his hips, shaking his head, and you can practically see the thought bubble above his head say “I’ve thrown everything I can at this guy. How can I beat him?!”
Djokovic looking spry
2024 is the first time in 14 years that Djokovic hasn’t won any of the first three Grand Slams. In fact, Djokovic hasn’t won a title all year, an extreme rarity.
But against Alcaraz today, Djokovic is looking better than he has since last season. He’s active and putting real pressure on Alcaraz, who has admitted to experiencing nerves before playing Djokovic before.
Djokovic wins the set after laser-focused tiebreak
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 04: Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia celebrates winning the first set tie breaker during the Men’s Singles Gold medal match against Carlos Alcaraz of Team Spain at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Alcaraz and Djokovic stayed together in the tiebreak through 3-3, but then Djokovic pulled away. After Alcaraz sent a drop shot to Djokovic, Djokovic returned it with his own bonkers drop shot that was entirely out of reach for Carlitos.
Djokovic is 37 and coming off of minor meniscus surgery, and he’s keeping up with a 21-year-old virtuoso who beat him just a month ago at Wimbledon. He also prevented Alcaraz from breaking him even once in the first set. Alcaraz was 0-for-8 in break points, which is tremendously unusual for him.
If Djokovic wins this gold medal, he will absolutely deserve it. Not because of his long, successful career, but because of his performance today. He’s had to dig deeper and be more creative against Alcaraz than any other opponent he’s faced in Paris over the last week.
Alcaraz forces a tiebreak!
Djokovic was just one point away from winning the set, but crafty Carlos managed to steal the game right out from under him. Tied at 6-6, they now head to the tiebreak. First to seven points wins the set.
Alcaraz ties it, but a major mishit just cost him a possible lead
Alcaraz easily tied the set 5-5, but down 30-40 he made a critical misjudgment on a shot and it landed out of bounds.
Now once again Alcaraz must win this game to save the first set and force a tiebreaker.
Djokovic wins 9th game after lengthy battle
Tied 4-4, Alcaraz and Djokovic just finished playing a game that lasted nearly 15 minutes. Both had numerous chances to win, but it wad Djokovic who finally, finally managed to string enough points together to claim victory.
Alcaraz is in a tough spot. If he doesn’t win this game, he loses the entire first set. With this final being best of three instead of the normal Grand Slam best of five, the only way for him to win gold if he loses the first set is to win the next two. Otherwise, Djokovic gets his long-awaited gold and Alcaraz will have to settle for silver.
Great tennis makes for great photos
This might be a long one, folks…
Grab your largest mug and fill it to the top with your best coffee, because we might be here for awhile. They’re fighting tooth and nail for every single point.
But unlike a Grand Slam final, which is five sets, the Olympic gold medal final is just three sets. Every single shot matters, because mistakes will cost you.
Djokovic almost lost that game at least twice, but managed to pull out a hold to regain the lead at 3-2
Alcaraz playing uneven
Alcaraz has not been playing his best tennis to start the match, but he came all the way back from 0-40 to win Game 4 and tie the set at 2-2.
Nerves might be the reason for the early stumbles of both Alcaraz and Djokovic. Alcaraz in particular has been jumping up and down and shaking out his arms, like he’s trying to settle himself down.
Even the two biggest players in the game still get nerves at the Olympics!
The Queen (of tennis) is at Roland Garros
The queen and undisputed GOAT of women’s tennis, Serena Williams, is watching Alcaraz vs. Djokovic very intently.