At the Paris Olympics in 2024, Novak Djokovic finally achieved the one feat that had eluded him for his entire career.
In straight sets, Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final on Court Philippe Chatrier to win the gold medal for Serbia.
The 24-time major champion had been unsuccessful at the Olympics in his four previous campaigns.
He earned a bronze medal in 2008 at the Beijing games, lost in the opening round in Rio in 2016, and finished fourth at both London 2012 and Tokyo 2020.
That all changed a year ago, when Djokovic struck a winning forehand past Alcaraz, before falling to his knees in tears.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic reacts to winning a gold medal one year later
Reacting to the match point a year later, Djokovic said: “Oh my gosh, I’ve watched this video probably one million times. Not recently, now I’ve made a little break, but now you’re inspiring me to watch it again and again.
“It just stands out as probably the highlight of my career, considering the amount of time and years that I waited for that — or haven’t waited — I worked for it.
“But the heartbreaking losses in the previous four Olympic Games that I played, unable to make that final step and reach the finals and fight for gold.
“It was the only big accolade that I missed, that I haven’t achieved in my career, and then coming at the age of 37, it is something very unique, unforgettable.
“The scenes of having my wife and my children there to witness that, to celebrate and achieve that with them, it’s just something that fills my heart with pure happiness and joy, and I’ll remember that moment forever.”
Novak Djokovic’s route to the gold medal at the Paris Olympics
Djokovic’s opening match at the Olympics last year was against Matthew Ebden of Australia, who he dominated 6-0, 6-1.
In round two, he had his last-ever meeting with Rafael Nadal, and extended his lead in their head-to-head to 31-29 with a straight-sets win over the Spaniard.
RoundOpponentFinalCarlos Alcaraz (Spain)SemifinalsLorenzo Musetti (Italy)QuarterfinalsStefanos Tsitsipas (Greece)Third RoundDominik Koepfer (Germany)Second RoundRafael Nadal (Spain)First RoundMatthew Ebden (Australia)Novak Djokovic’s 2024 singles campaign at the Paris Olympics
After a victory over Germany’s Dominik Koepfer in the third round, Serbia met Greece in the quarterfinals, with Stefanos Tsitsipas flying the flag.
The 37-year-old didn’t drop a set against either Tsitsipas or his Italian semifinal opponent, Lorenzo Musetti.
In the final, Djokovic clinched two tiebreaks against Alcaraz to finally win it all.