Stunning moments, like only tennis can offer, were experienced by all who watched the great final of the Olympic Games in Paris between the legendary Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, with the two tennis players giving their all for over three hours and providing top-level spectacle, worthy of their quality.
A final that was an advertisement for world tennis, with the Serbian proving to be cooler in the tie-breaks and taking the victory with 7-6 [3], 7-6 [2], and along with it the gold medal: His first at the Olympic Games, with Djokovic making history. In Beijing in 2008, at his first Olympics, he finished third and won the bronze medal. Four years later, in 2012 in London, he finished in fourth place. In 2016 in Rio, he was eliminated early, while in Tokyo he again placed fourth.
This year, in Paris, in the fifth and final Olympics of his career, he desperately wanted to take the gold medal. It was a lifelong goal. The only major trophy missing from his rich trophy cabinet, and he was not willing to give up. He would succeed no matter what happened. Against everyone and everything. Even against his own body, which had been heavily stressed in recent years.
At the recent Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic faced a knee problem and needed to undergo surgery to overcome his injury. He was out for a few weeks but returned stronger at Wimbledon, where he made it to the final. There, however, he faced Carlos Alcaraz, with the Spaniard, undoubtedly the new… Nadal, putting on a great game and prevailing with 3-0.
With the heavy defeat in his luggage, his knee not in the best possible condition, and without a title in the current season, Djokovic went to Paris to pursue his dream. At 37. With a battering on his right leg. With discomfort. At risk of suffering even greater damage and competing on a very challenging surface that causes huge stress on the joints, especially the legs.
His passion, determination, ego, and winner’s mentality, however, would not allow him to give up under any circumstances. Even when he felt discomfort. Even when he hurt with every step. At that moment, he wanted it even more.
Novak Djokovic turned pain and difficulties into “fuel” to achieve his goal, as the great Serb “cleared” Ebden, Nadal, Kepfer, Tsitsipas, and Musetti to qualify for the final, where Carlos Alcaraz awaited him.
The Spaniard was the favorite for the gold medal, after the excellent performances he had put on in the previous rounds of the Olympic Tournament, as well as the recent 3-0 set over Djokovic in the Wimbledon final: On Djokovic’s best surface.
A great final, with the Serb playing all his cards. With every hit, every point, every game, every set. He gave it his all. Celebrating every point he won with all his soul and cursing himself for every mistake. He knew he wouldn’t have many opportunities against Carlos Alcaraz: One of the top tennis players of recent years.
A great battle. Perhaps the best best-of-three match in Olympic history. An epic final, with the great Novak Djokovic giving everything he had on the court and winning the two tie-breaks 7-3, 7-2 along with the gold medal.
An achievement for the Serb, who broke down in tears after the last point.
The point that made him the GOAT, as Patrick Mouratoglou aptly noted in a post on social media after the final. The man who knows tennis like few others. The greatest coach in the sport’s history. The GOAT of coaches.
GOAT.
— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) August 4, 2024
At 37, Djokovic cried like a small child. He had succeeded. In his fifth attempt at the Olympic Games, he managed to win the gold medal, with the great Serb being a role model for both young and old.
The GOAT of world tennis. With 24 Grand Slam titles (24-13 in finals), two Olympic medals (gold 2024, bronze 2008), 7 titles in ATP Finals (7-2), 40 trophies in ATP 1000 (40-18), 15 in ATP 500 (15-3), and 12 in ATP 250 (12-5).
With 99 career trophies (99-41 in finals). With a unique story. From the war in Yugoslavia and the difficulties, to the top of world tennis and the gold Olympic medal: A story that is an inspiration for all.
Tennis and world sports bowed once again before Novak. The last of the Big-3. The trio that changed tennis and made it one of the top sports. One of the last of the… Mohicans. A true legend.