Djokovic Calls Olympic Gold The Biggest Achievement In His Career

JAKARTA Novak Djokovic considers the victory over Carlos Alcaraz to win the 2024 Olympic men's singles gold medal as the biggest achievement in his career on Sunday, July 4.

The 37-year-old Serbian ended eight-month trophy drought with a brilliant performance. He won 7-6(3), 7-6(2), and finished the Golden Slam of his career in an impressive style, without losing a set in six games at Roland Garros.

Djokovic became the oldest man to win an Olympic singles since tennis returned to the Olympics in 1988. He achieved just 21 days after being beaten by Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final and two months after undergoing knee surgery.

"I won bronze medals at my first Olympics (2008) and since then failed to win a medal again, played in three of the four Olympics in the semifinals and was unable to overcome these obstacles," Djokovic said proudly wearing the medal.

"And now, at the age of 37, against 21-year-old players who may be the best players in the world today, having won Roland Garros and Wimbledon in a row, and played great tennis."

Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, showed an invisible level of tennis this year to contain Alcaraz's attack. After ending nearly three hours of fierce matches with deadly foreplay, Djokovic shed tears on the field before climbing the stands to hug his family, including Jelena's wife and Stefan's son, as well as his team.

"To this day I think that carrying the Serbian flag at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics is the best feeling an athlete can have," he said. "But this feeling goes beyond anything I imagined, which I wish I could feel."

Djokovic did not rule out participating in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but admits that awareness that Paris may be his last chance to win gold has motivated him.

"I've been ready for this tournament and haven't lost a set in the whole tournament," he said. "I've known since the first two rounds that this is my chance. If this is going to happen, then now is the time."

When he reached the final, Djokovic was relieved that he was finally able to overcome obstacles he had not been able to overcome before. "I celebrate as if I have won the tournament. But of course I want gold and know that I have to climb the highest mountain right now, against Alcaraz."

Djokovic saved eight break points during high-quality matches and incredible intensity, describing the duel as one of the best he's ever had. "I don't think I've played, maybe just a few times in my life, with such a high level of three hours just for two sets," he said. "The credit for him, congratulations to him for his incredible tournament and fighting spirit."

Here is a list of men's singles gold medalists in Olympic tennis: