Novak Djokovic certainly took his time to win Olympic gold, but the Serbian has finally clinched the honour.
Djokovic ranks Olympic gold as arguably his biggest success, having won the prize at the fifth time of asking.
The Serbian beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2) at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the Spaniard clinching silver.
Rafael Nadal messaged Alcaraz after his Olympic loss, with the latter bursting into tears following the defeat.
Lorenzo Musetti meanwhile clinched the bronze medal for Italy after beating Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Novak Djokovic admits to ‘strange’ year despite Olympic gold medal
Djokovic has been nowhere near his best this year, losing matches he was expected to win, while he was brushed aside in the Wimbledon final.
Injury has, of course, played a huge part in his 29-7 record in 2024, with the Serbian having been used to much more success at this stage of the season.
“This year has been a little bit strange for me not winning a title after many years of at least winning one title in the mid-season section,” Djokovic said in his final press conference.
“But I was saying that Grand Slams and Olympic Games are the biggest goal for this season and particularly Olympic Games. Knowing that could be my last chance at a gold medal.
“So I did everything I possible can to prepare myself for this period of Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Olympic Games in the best possible way, to raise form when it needs to be, and basically be at the peak of my abilities.
“The injury that occurred here at Roland Garros side-tracked me a little bit but I still managed to play Wimbledon and I wasn’t maybe expecting so much from the tournament.
“I played the final which was a big success. I was dominated in the final by Alcaraz who was a far better player but coming into this Olympic games I said that I feel like I’m a different player compared to the player I was at Wimbledon.
“When I qualified for the finals I felt a bit of relief because that’s the hurdle that I haven’t been able to surpass in the past.”
How has 2024 gone for Novak Djokovic so far?
As Djokovic alluded to, getting fit for the Olympics was his ultimate goal for the season, which is unsurprising given his desperation for the gold medal.
With 99 titles, including 24 Grand Slams, he has constantly failed to win the top prize in the iconic competition.
But a superb run to the Wimbledon final would have given him plenty of confidence, even if he was ultimately beaten by Alcaraz in straight sets.
That loss followed his withdrawal from the French Open due to a knee injury, with Djokovic reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
The Serbian now has his first title of the year, with the world number two now looking for further success at the US Open later this month.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
