Djokovic defeats Alcaraz for Olympic gold to clinch ‘biggest success in career’

Despite Novak Djokovic's unparalleled success in other major tournaments, including grand slam titles and Masters 1000 events, as well as holding the record for the most weeks at No. 1 in tennis history, the Olympics have eluded him. His quest for a gold medal has been a challenging journey, filled with heartbreaking losses that tested his resilience and determination. Djokovic has faced adversity and setbacks, but has always managed to bounce back and continue chasing his Olympic dream.

Many of his victories in his career have been anything but easy, and his achievements over the last 16 years can be attributed to his unmatched determination. He has a remarkable ability to bounce back from setbacks, face challenges head-on, and eventually conquer them.

In what may be his last chance to compete in the Olympics at 37 years old, Djokovic didn't waste the opportunity. He played incredibly well against Carlos Alcaraz, winning 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in a tough match to finally win a gold medal. Djokovic is now the oldest tennis player to win an Olympic singles gold medal, and he didn't lose a single set in the process.

Before, Djokovic thought being Serbia's flag bearer at the London 2012 opening ceremony was the best moment of his career. But on Sunday, he said that feeling was replaced by something even better: "This surpasses all my expectations and hopes for what I could achieve and feel."

Just two months ago, he suffered a meniscus tear on this court during his French Open match. He had surgery the following day. His journey to the Wimbledon final after returning was impressive, but he was defeated by Alcaraz. As a result of this loss, he started the Olympic final as the expected loser.

Right from the start of the match on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Djokovic showed that he was determined to change the game. He started strong, hitting the ball with power and precision, aiming to disrupt the Spaniard's rhythm. Alcaraz, however, quickly found his groove, unleashing powerful forehands and frustrating Djokovic with his impressive defense. The match was intense throughout, with both players giving it their all. Djokovic showcased his strong serving, surprised Alcaraz with clever approaches to the net, and displayed impeccable decision-making in his shot selection.

During the tie-break that followed, Alcaraz made more mistakes while Djokovic gained momentum and took the lead with an amazing forehand shot. Djokovic continued to play strong and finished the set in 92 minutes with a fantastic drop-volley winner.

After a grueling set, it would have made sense for Djokovic to take it easy, but he didn't. Instead, he managed to create an opportunity to break his opponent's serve early in the second set. Alcaraz kept up with him, and they ended up in another tie-break. With the prospect of winning the gold medal within reach, Djokovic went all out, giving his all in every shot and attacking with confidence. In his determination to come out on top, he raised his game in the final moments, dominating the tie-break to secure a memorable victory.

"I have rarely experienced such intense competition at such a high level, playing for three hours straight, and only completing two sets," he expressed.

Following the match, Djokovic hugged his opponent warmly at the net before dropping to the ground near the service line. Tears of happiness and relief streamed down his face, his hands trembling with emotion. After a moment, he made his way back to his seat where he cried into his towel. He then joined the crowd, holding a Serbian flag, and found comfort in the arms of his family and teammates as he continued to shed tears of joy. Meanwhile, Alcaraz had to pause his interview with Eurosport as he, too, was overwhelmed with emotion. He shared that his tears were a result of feeling like he had disappointed his country by losing the match. However, after collecting himself, he spoke of his pride in his performance throughout the tournament. "I believe I made my country proud. I instilled a sense of belief in them and I am proud of how I represented my nation."

Djokovic's victory is a remarkable feat for many different reasons. In previous years, he made it to the semi-finals of the Olympics three out of four times, only to experience heartbreaking losses each time. His aspirations for Olympic success were so significant that he struggled to maintain his usual focus during the crucial moments of these competitions.

This year has been really tough for him, not just because of his recent injury but also because he hasn't been able to win any championships. It would have been understandable for him to question if he had hit a turning point in his career and if his age was starting to affect him. But instead, his determination has led to one of his biggest successes.

"When I think about everything, I believe this is the most significant sporting accomplishment I have achieved in my professional life," he shared.