Novak Djokovic reveals he is ‘grateful’ to Carlos Alcaraz for ‘letting him’ win his first Olympic gold medal

2024 Olympic champion Novak Djokovic thinks youngster Carlos Alcaraz will win three gold medals at the Games.

Novak Djokovic reveals he is ‘grateful’ to Carlos Alcaraz for ‘letting him’ win his first Olympic gold medal

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz (Images via Imago)

Novak Djokovic once again etched his name in the record books following his straight-set victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Paris Olympics. After finally winning the Olympic gold, Djokovic became the only third men’s player to accomplish the Career Golden Slam. 

Djokovic is in New York for the US Open, the qualifying round of which is underway. The main draw starts on August 26 and ahead of it, after an exhibition match in the tournament, Djokovic revealed what he told Alcaraz about the Olympic victory.

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I told Carlos on the net when we finished the finals that I was very grateful to him for letting me win the gold. He's probably going to have like three golds before he retires.
Novak Djokovic told reporters

It was the only title Djokovic has won this year so far, having failed to lift any on the ATP Tour. Djokovic also revenged his Wimbledon straight-set defeat as Alcaraz denied the Serb his eighth title at the SW19 by beating him in straight sets to clinch his fourth Grand Slam title. 

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It was Alcaraz’s back-to-back major title as well as before Wimbledon, he won his first French Open trophy by beating Alexander Zverev in five sets. Djokovic, on the other hand, will be chasing his first Grand Slam of the year at the US Open, and he will play his opening match against Radu Albot on Monday (August 26th). He will be entering the tournament without much match practice on hard-court as he did not play in the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open. 

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Carlos Alcaraz played the ‘worst’ match of his career at the Cincinnati Open

After clinching the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Carlos Alcaraz played at the Cincinnati Open and was the heavy favorite. In his opening match, however, he lost in three sets, to Gael Monfils and during the match, Alcaraz even lost his cool and destroyed his racket. In the press conference, he labeled the match the ‘worst’ one of his career. 

Carlos Alcaraz (3)
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Imago)
I felt like it was the worst match that I ever played in my career. [I] couldn’t play. Honestly, I’ve been practicing really well here in this tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference 

Alcaraz will be bidding to win his second title at the US Open, having won his first in 2022. He will kick-start his campaign against Li Tu on August 27. 

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