“It was like a movie,” Novak Djokovic finally reveals the “biggest success” of his career
Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics to win his first gold medal.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)
Novak Djokovic is aiming to claim his 100th career title and 25th Grand Slam this year. The Serbian took his sporting legacy to another level last year when he remarkably claimed the Olympic gold medal in Paris. He revealed that it remains the biggest success of his career.
Djokovic produced a stunning display to defeat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) to win his first Olympic gold medal and complete a Career Grand Slam in Paris last year. The Serbian has previously finished third in 2008, then lost to eventual gold medal winner Andy Murray in 2012 and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 2021.
He had also lost in straight sets to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final three weeks before meeting in Paris and had not won a title all season, but he produced a superb display to earn his long-awaited gold. The former World No.1 was in tears after the victory and celebrated it like no other title in his career.
On Monday (April 21), he was at the Laureus World Awards in Madrid and he was asked by a reporter what is his biggest career achievement. The 37-year-old revealed that it was winning the Olympic gold medal.
It’s the biggest success of my career. It’s for my country, at the Olympic Games, which are only every four years… And all the history I’ve had at this event, with three semifinals where I wasn’t lucky. At 37 years old, in Paris, with my wife and children… It was like a movie. I’ve never had a feeling like that on a tennis court.
Novak Djokovic said
Djokovic has always admitted that winning the Olympic gold medal was his great career success. He hasn’t won a title since then but has impressed by competing at the highest level in tennis despite his age.
Novak Djokovic reveals his chances of winning the Madrid Open
Novak Djokovic is set to play at the Madrid Open for the first time since 2022. He arrives at the tournament not in his best clay form, as he was ousted by Alejandro Tabilo at the Monte Carlo Masters. However, at the ATP 1000 Masters event, he hopes to get to his best level on the court.
I’m always optimistic, but I don’t know if I’m one of the favourites because I’m not having very good results this year. The level I’m looking for could come here or at Roland-Garros, I hope it will be here. I always have very good feelings when I return to Madrid, to Spain. It’s a country I love very much. I’ve won the Madrid Open three times in my career, with extraordinary matches against Nadal and [Carlos] Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic said via TNT Sports
Djokovic has an impeccable 30-9 record at the Madrid Open. He triumphed at the tournament in 2011, 2016 and 2019. In 2016, he defeated his coach Andy Murray in the final, but this time around both of them will work together to win the tournament.
Novak Djokovic gets a tough draw at the Madrid Open
Novak Djokovic has been drawn in the same half as Carlos Alcaraz at the Madrid Open, meaning the two former World No.1 could face each other in the semi-finals. Djokovic, who lost to Jakub Mensik at the Miami Open final and then crashed out in the early stages of the Monte Carlo, will be seeking a statement run at the tournament.
He will open his Madrid campaign against qualifier Matteo Arnaldi before a projected third-round meeting against Argentine Sebastian Baez. If the Serbian does win the two ties, he’s expected to face Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round before a projected quarter-final against Jack Draper. Djokovic will fancy his chances of doing well at the tournament as he has an eye at the French Open, which starts next month.
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