Djokovic Makes History, Beats Alcaraz To Finally Win Olympic Gold, Third Man To Win Golden Slam
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It looked to be well worth the wait. And it was a long wait for Novak Djokovic. But today, Djokovic placed the final piece in his Hall of Fame puzzle adding Olympic gold to his resume.
“Incredible battle,” said Djokovic.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m still in shock. I put my heart, soul, body, family, everything on the line to win the Olympic Gold at the age of 37.”
Djokovic had failed four times before and was an underdog in the final today against the red-hot Carlos Alcaraz who had won the last two Slams and just crushed Djokovic at Wimbledon.
Right from the start, though, you could see Djokovic was a different player than London. Moving better, hitting hard and looking more at ease. Early on, the points were long, the games were long. Both players missed buckets of break chances — Alcaraz 0-for-8 and Djokovic 0-for-5.
The two played to a breaker like they had to finish Wimbledon. This time Djokovic got out on top.
After the 93-minute or so opening stanza, the second moved slight quicker. Just one break point as both raised their level into the breaker. And Djokovic dominated yet again as Alcaraz couldn’t find the court.
Djokovic fell to the court in tears, trembling is delight with a 7-6(3), 7-6(2) win, one of the biggest of his career.
“We almost played three hours for two sets. It was an incredible battle, incredible fight,” Djokovic said. “When the last shot went past him, that was the only moment I actually thought I could win the match. I mean I believed that I could win, but to actually win it, because he keeps on coming back. He keeps on asking me to play my best tennis.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m still in shock, honestly. I put my heart, my soul, my body, my family, my everything on the line to win Olympic gold at age 37. I finally did it.”
Djokovic joins just Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal as men to win Golden Slam. Steffi Graf and Serena Williams did it in the women’s game.
Djokovic is the oldest of the bunch and it took him the longest, but he’ll take it.
Alcaraz at just 21 was trying to become the youngest to win men’s singles gold. He’ll have many more chances.
“It is painful to lose the way that I lost this match,” Alcaraz said. “I had my opportunities… I couldn’t take them. Novak is playing great, he really settled in his position, in the difficult moments he increased his level, he played unbelievable.
“I’m really disappointed but honestly, I’m going to leave the court with my head really high. I gave everything that I had fighting for Spain. It was everything to me so I’m proud the way that I played today.”
With all significant titles now in his trophy case, Djokovic needs just one Grand Slam to get to 25 and set the all time mark.
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