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Paris: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, 37, completed a career Golden Slam by defeating Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the Olympic men’s singles final at Roland Garros on Sunday.
After losing in Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, Djokovic finally won the title that had eluded him for a long time, winning 7-6(3) 7-6(2) in front of a full house at the Philippe Chatrier Stadium.
Top-seeded Djokovic produced one of the best performances of his career to defeat Alcaraz and become only the fifth player to win four singles majors and the Olympic title.
Neither player backed down in this intense match, with the first set alone lasting one hour and 33 minutes as they battled for control in a series of fascinating matches.
Alcaraz broke first in the tiebreak, and when the second set needed another tiebreak, Djokovic found his form again, sealing the win with a stunning forehand winner.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic kisses his medal. — Reuters
Djokovic roared to the sky, and after consoling Alcaraz at the net, he fell to his knees in the middle of the court, crying, before walking into the crowd that flocked to him with family, friends and teammates.
Djokovic, the oldest player to win an Olympic singles title since the sport’s resumption in 1988, cried tears of joy, while 21-year-old Alcaraz was devastated by not winning gold at this year’s French Open and Wimbledon.
Djokovic, who has lost in the Olympic singles semifinals three times, knows that coming into Paris this is his last real chance to fill the final space left in the trophy case that contains his record 24 Grand Slam titles.
How he won the award – He became the first male player to win an Olympic singles title without losing a set when he defeated Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final last month.
“It was an incredible match and I had to play my best tennis,” an excited Djokovic told Eurosport as Serbian fans celebrated their victory in the stands before the trophy ceremony.
“Both sets ended in tiebreaks, which was fair. I put my heart and soul into winning the gold medal.”
“I do this first and foremost for my country, for Serbia.”
Djokovic joins an elite club of Andre Agassi, Rafa Nadal, Serena Williams and Steffi Graf who have won all four Grand Slams and the Olympic title during their careers. —Reuters
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