Even the characteristically robust Novak Djokovic couldn’t assist however shed a tear on the finish of the boys’s singles closing.
The Serbian tennis legend had received all 4 Grand Slam titles and virtually each honor there may be within the sport, however the Olympic gold medal was escaping him. He had tried 5 instances to win the gold, failing every time.
That lastly modified Sunday.
On the Roland-Garros stadium the place he had injured his knee solely months earlier, and throughout the web from the face of tennis’s new guard — 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz — who had defeated him at Wimbledon this summer time, the 37-year-old veteran lastly struck gold.
Alcaraz didn’t make it straightforward for Djokovic, nonetheless. The 2 units performed had to enter a tiebreaker, which was neck and neck the complete means. Through the first set, there have been 13 unsuccessful break factors. The match lasted practically three hours, an eternity for incomes the most effective two units out of three.
The group was extraordinarily rowdy, with each gamers visibly pissed off by screams and shouts, and officers repeatedly requested spectators to be quiet.
However Djokovic got here out on prime, defeating Alcaraz 7(7)-6(3), 7(7)-6(2).
After the match, Djokovic collapsed on the bottom. He was shaking and crying, with a towel over his head. He jumped into the gang to embrace his household. Lastly, he was golden.
“I’m overwhelmed with every little thing I’m feeling proper now,” Djokovic mentioned. “Tens of millions of various feelings, after all.”
Djokovic is the oldest participant to win the Olympic singles event since Nice Britain’s Josiah Ritchie in 1908.
“After all I’ve received every little thing there may be to win most likely in my particular person profession, however profitable the Davis Cup, and notably a golden medal for an Olympic Video games for Serbia on the age of 37, is unprecedented,” he mentioned.
With the medal and his 4 main Grand Slam titles, Djokovic turns into solely the fifth participant in historical past to finish the “Golden Slam,” becoming a member of Steffi Graf, Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi and Serena Williams.
Djokovic was solely 9 when Agassi grew to become the primary to finish the Golden Slam. Since then, Djokovic has received 24 Grand Slam titles in his profession — probably the most of any man in historical past.
Whether or not Djokovic will cross the baton to the brand new guard and the likes of Alcaraz isn’t sure, however this win solidifies him within the firm of tennis legends.
“I’m telling myself all the time that I’m sufficient, as a result of I might be very self-critical,” Djokovic mentioned. “That’s most likely one of many largest inner battles that I carry on preventing with myself, that I don’t really feel that I’ve completed sufficient — that I’ve been sufficient in my life on the courtroom and off the courtroom.”
Whereas Djokovic’s quest for gold is lastly full, Alcaraz’s silver heralds what’s to return for tennis’ subsequent celebrity.
The 21-year-old is the youngest man to win a medal within the Olympic singles event since Djokovic, who received bronze in 2008.
“I’m a bit of bit disillusioned however I’m going to depart the courtroom with my head excessive,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I gave every little thing that I had. Combating for Spain was every little thing for me. I’m happy with the way in which I performed as we speak.”
Alcaraz mentioned dropping how he did was “painful,” however that Djokovic performed “nice” and “deserved this.”
“Within the troublesome moments, he elevated his stage,” Alcaraz mentioned. “He was unbelievable.”
On the rightmost aspect of the rostrum, Italian Lorenzo Musetti earned bronze, Italy’s first medal in tennis for the reason that 1924 Paris Olympics — and the nation’s second-ever medal for tennis.
For Djokovic, this marks the primary event he has received in 2024 — and a rematch of Wimbledon, when he misplaced the slam to Alcaraz.
“It’s an enormous lesson for me,” he mentioned. “I’m tremendous grateful for the blessing to win a historic gold medal for my nation to finish the Golden Slam and to finish all of the information.”