Serbia’s Novak Djokovic delivered an impressive performance to defeat Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3) 7-6(2) and secure the gold medal in the men’s singles final at Roland Garros on Sunday. The 37-year-old emerged victorious in a hard-fought contest on Court Philippe Chatrier, earning his first Olympic title.
Djokovic’s remarkable career includes a record-setting 24 Grand Slam titles and the most weeks at No. 1 in the rankings for both men and women. Although he had previously won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics, he has stated that this was not enough for him.
Before defeating bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals on Friday, Djokovic had a 0-3 record in that round at the Olympics. Each time, he lost to the eventual gold medalist: Rafael Nadal in Beijing 2008, Andy Murray in London 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.
In Paris, Djokovic, who wore a gray sleeve on his right knee after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus two months prior, faced Nadal in the second round and won in straight sets. With this victory, Djokovic has become the oldest man to win the singles gold medal since 1908, and he thwarted 21-year-old Alcaraz’s chance to become the youngest.
