“He always waits for the right moment,” Lorenzo Musetti explains how Novak Djokovic outplayed him in Paris Olympics semifinal

Novak Djokovic broke his Olympic semifinal jinx to finally secure a berth in the gold medal match with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Lorenzo Musetti.

“He always waits for the right moment,” Lorenzo Musetti explains how Novak Djokovic outplayed him in Paris Olympics semifinal

Lorenzo Musetti, Novak Djokovic (Images via Imago)

Lorenzo Musetti wanted to finally revenge his three consecutive defeats to Novak Djokovic this season when he met the Serbian in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. But unfortunately for the Italian, the result was no different. 

On Friday (August 2), the crowd at Court Philippe Chatrier saw Djokovic break his Olympic semifinal jinx to finally secure a berth in the gold medal match with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Musetti. The 22-year-old later explained the Serb’s technical skills that make him a dangerous player on the court. 

YouTube video
It's true that on his forehand, he always waits for the right moment to change direction and try a winning shot. Afterward, you can say what you want about Djokovic, but his return of serve remains an incredible shot, it's the most impressive thing. The way he manages to return serves where 90% of players can't even do it or at least put the server in a good position, that's what makes the difference.
Lorenzo Musetti said at the press conference

Musetti has the chance to clinch the bronze medal for his country when he takes on Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was easily beaten 6-1, 6-1 by Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the other semifinals. The World No.16 will become the first Italian to win an Olympic medal in tennis singles since 1924 if he wins the bronze medal match.

FS Video
RELATED
Katerina Siniakova breaks down in tears when Czech Republic’s national anthem plays after her gold medal win at 2024 Paris Olympics
Katerina-Siniakova-Paris-Olympics

Novak Djokovic is the oldest, while Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest to play in Olympic tennis singles’ final match

Novak Djokovic failed to overcome the hurdle in his previous three Olympics semifinals, for he lost to Rafael Nadal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics (but later won the bronze medal), to Andy Murray in the 2012 London Games, and to Alexander Zverev in the 2016 Rio Games.

The Serb now has the chance to take home the gold medal if he beats Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final. 

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Imago)

Cruising past Lorenzo Musetti made Djokovic the oldest player to secure a berth in an Olympic singles final. At 21, Alcaraz became the youngest player to do so and is already deemed as the ‘favorite’ to clinch the gold for Spain, given that Djokovic has not won a title yet this season, while the youngster lifted two major ones, the French Open and the Wimbledon. 

Djokovic and Alcaraz met in this year’s Wimbledon final. Rather than a blockbuster contest, it was a one-sided affair as the seven-time Wimbledon champion lost in straight sets, which saw the Spaniard win his second consecutive title at SW19. 

In case you missed!