Novak Djokovic defeats Carlos Alcaraz in an epic final to win gold medal at Paris Olympics 2024

Serbia's Novak Djokovic prevailed over Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in an epic final to win his maiden Olympic gold medal in Paris.

Novak Djokovic defeats Carlos Alcaraz in an epic final to win gold medal at Paris Olympics 2024

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz (via Imago)

In the clash of the oldest and youngest rivals inside Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday (August 4), Novak Djokovic prevailed over Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Olympic gold medal in Paris with a 7-6(7-3), 7-6(7-2) win.

The match was unlike the 2024 Wimbledon final, the last time Djokovic faced Alcaraz and did not play to his full potential, losing in straight sets. But the tennis fraternity watched some high-level tennis in the Paris Olympics‘ gold medal match. Both players made each other run all over the court and the unbelievable rallies they played kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

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In a match that was no less than a battle, Djokovic knew that giving even a small chance to Alcaraz would mean difficulties for him later on. During the first set, with the score reading 4-4, he managed to save five break points. Alcaraz, however, leveled the score immediately.

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After a few incredible rallies, Djokovic won the 11th game of the set after which Alcaraz toiled hard to again equal the scores to push the first set into the tiebreak, where both were just as competitive. Djokovic finally had the upper hand as he took a much-needed lead against the four-time Grand Slam champion. Djokovic even found the answers to Alcaraz’s drop shots from time to time and the youngster’s 33 unforced errors throughout the match only ended up ruining his rhythm.

The second set was no different. Alcaraz tried his all to turn the tables but a resolute Djokovic was not ready to falter. Like the first set, the youngster again got the chance to have an advantage when he won the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead.

However, Djokovic dominated in the 11th game without giving a single point to the Spaniard. After another tiebreak, the 37-year-old won the match to clinch the gold medal at the Olympics for the first time in his career.

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Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic completes career Golden Slam after winning the Olympic gold medal

Novak Djokovic scripted history with his first gold medal for Serbia. It was his second medal in the Olympics, and the win means, he has completed the career Golden Slam.

Novak Djokovic (3)
Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago)
That’s one of the biggest internal battles I keep on fighting with myself. That I feel like I haven’t done enough or been enough in my life on and off the court. I’m super grateful for the blessing to win a historic gold medal for my country. To complete the Golden Slam. To complete all the records.
Novak Djokovic said after the match

Djokovic’s previous win in the Olympics came in the 2008 Beijing Games, where he won the bronze medal. In the 2020 Tokyo Games, he lost the bronze medal match in singles.

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