Djokovic Defeats Alcaraz in the Paris 2024 Final to Win his First Olympic Gold

Rafael Nadal versus Carlos Alcaraz Highlights from the 2024 Paris Olympics final: After winning his first-ever gold medal at the Olympics, Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in the thrilling men’s tennis singles final on Sunday. Throughout his remarkable career, he achieved a men’s record 24 Grand Slam victories and held the highest ranking for the most weeks of any anyone, male or female. There was an Olympic bronze medal from 2008 as well, but he was very clear that it was not enough for him. Djokovic had gone winless in that stage of the Games before defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the semifinal on Friday. Each time he faced off against the eventual winners, Andy Murray in London in 2012, Rafael Nadal in Beijing in 2008, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago, he lost.

He delivered one of his best performances to date on Sunday, denying Alcaraz the desired championship and becoming just the sixth player in history to complete a career golden slam by winning the Olympic gold medal along with all four singles Grand Slams.

In a fierce match that lasted an hour and thirty-three minutes, neither player gave up throughout the opening set. As the set moved into the tie-break, where Alcaraz broke, there were many break points on show, but none of them succeeded in breaking the serve. Once again, Djokovic found a different gear when a second tie-break was needed to determine the outcome of the first set, capping the triumph with an incredible forehand winner down the stretch.

After the victory, Djokovic erupted in cheers, shook hands with Alcaraz, and collapsed onto the court in tears. That’s how much he valued winning the gold at the Olympics. In what turned out to be his last Games appearance, he struck it fortunate five times. Then he ascended the stairs to see his family and team swarming around him.

The 21-year-old Alcaraz, who had already won the French Open and Wimbledon titles this year, was overcome with emotion at the conclusion. He was denied the Olympic title.