Paris Olympics: Novak Djokovic wins gold in men's singles tennis
Serbia's Novak Djokovic has won the men's singles tennis gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday. Djokovic took down his Wimbledon nemesis Carlos Alcaraz on Court Phillipe-Chatrier at Roland Garros. The veteran has won his maiden gold at the Olympics and second medal (bronze in 2008 Beijing). He also became the oldest gold medal winner in tennis singles at the Olympics.
Alcaraz's 12-match unbeaten run at Roland Garros ends
Alcaraz has raced to a 38-7 win-loss record on the ATP Tour this season. He had won three titles before the Olympics. The young Spaniard, who is 18-3 at Roland Garros (French Open), owns a 59-10 win-loss record overall at Grand Slams, including 18-1 this season. Alcaraz was on a 12-match unbeaten run at Roland Garros (French Open and Olympic silver).
Djokovic at Roland Garros as he wins the gold
Djokovic owns a 96-16 win-loss record at Roland Garros (French Open). He has already bagged three French Open honors. He holds the record for the most Grand Slams won in men's singles (24). By winning his quarter-final clash in 2024 Paris, he completed 100 wins at Roland Garros (now 102). Djokovic owns a 29-7 win-loss record this season on the ATP Tour.
Alcaraz's journey in 2024 Paris
Alcaraz took down Hady Habib of Lebanon in the first round, winning 6-3, 6-1. Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor was Alcaraz next scalp (6-1, 7-6). Roman Safiullin, who was under the Individual Neutral Athletes category, was beaten 6-4, 6-2. Alcaraz beat USA's Tommy Paul 6-4, 7-6 in the quarters. Alcaraz dispatched Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-1, 6-1 next. And now, Djokovic took down Alcaraz 7-6, 7-6.
Djokovic's journey in 2024 Paris
Djokovic took down Matthew Ebden in the first round, winning 6-0, 6-1. In the second round, the Serb beat arch-rival Rafael Nadal 6-1, 6-4. In the 3rd round, Djokovic beat Germany's Dominic Koepfer 7-5, 6-3. Djokovic won his quarter-final clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas (6-3, 7-6). Djokovic beat eventual bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti in the semis (6-4, 6-2). He beat Alcaraz in the final.
Career Golden Slam for Djokovic
Djokovic has completed a Career Golden Slam by winning the 2024 Paris Olympics gold. The Golden Slam is someone who wins all four career Grand Slams and the Olympic gold. Among singles in tennis, Djokovic joins the likes of Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, Stefi Graff and Serena Williams.
A look at the H2H record
The two players came into this match with a 3-3 win-loss record each in their head-to-head meetings. Alcaraz took down Djokovic twice at the Wimbledon finals. He also beat him at ATP Masters 1000 Madrid in 2022. Djokovic beat Alacaraz in the semis at Roland Garros in 2023. He also beat Alcaraz in the final of ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati and ATP Finals semis.
Djokovic and Alcaraz attained these feats while reaching the final
As per Opta, Alcaraz became the second-youngest men's singles finalist at the Olympic Games in tennis history, older only than Robert LeRoy in St. Louis 1904. Later on, Djokovic became the 3rd player to reach the Olympic final in singles after having turned 30 since tennis returned to the Summer Olympic program in 1988. He joined Roger Federer (2012) and Serena Williams (2012).
Do you know?
As per Opta, Djokovic is only the second player in the Open Era have won all four Grand Slams, the gold medal at the Olympics and the ATP Tour Finals, along with Agassi.
