Novak Djokovic managed to compete the Career Golden Slam last week after overcoming Carlos Alcaraz in the Olympic gold medal match.
After nearly three hours on court, Novak Djokovic ran around a forehand and thumped it down the line to secure the one piece of silverware that had so cruelly eluded him four times.
Both Djokovic’s short and long-term journeys to Olympic gold were complex, agonizing, but fortunately eventually magical.
A return to the very court that saw him tear the meniscus in his right knee at the French Open was the stage that ended the Serb’s wait for the gold medal.
After surgery in June and then a remarkable recovery to reach the Wimbledon final, Djokovic’s fitness initially looked like it’d be the thing that spoiled his chances of completing his Olympic dream.
Bronze in Beijing 2008 was as close as he’d ever got, but in Paris he was faultless, winning the tournament without dropping a single set and in doing so becoming the fifth person to win every major and Olympic gold.
How are Serbia celebrating Novak Djokovic’s latest achievement?
Djokovic has always made clear how representing his nation is, for him, the highest honor.
With previous success in the Davis Cup, he immediately draped himself in the Serbian flag after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in their tantalizing Olympic final.
Upon his achievement, the Serbian government have decided to build and dedicate a museum for Djokovic in the country’s capital and his home-city Belgrade.
Barron’s reported that the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, said: “We had the first discussions about the construction of the Novak Djokovic Museum, which is expected to become another attraction for the city.
“Palma de Mallorca has a museum dedicated to Rafael Nadal. We will strive to showcase what Djokovic has done for our country in accordance with his merits, and at the same time attract tourists.”
Vucic said he hoped the museum would be finished before Belgrade hosts the World Expo in 2027.
Can Novak Djokovic go on to make even more history at the US Open?
With former coach Goran Ivanisevic tipping Djokovic for the US Open title, the Serb’s Olympic gold won’t have halted his aspirations for more.
Having won the title four times, with 2023 the last time Djokovic prevailed at Flushing Meadows, he will undoubtedly be entering a competitive field this year.
With Jannik Sinner winning his maiden title in Melbourne having beaten Djokovic on his route to the title, if he keeps healthy, he will be one of the frontrunners.
Former champions Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev will also be desperate to find glory again in New York, with the Russian already getting started at the Montreal Open this week.
Djokovic currently sits level at the top with both him and Margaret Court having won 24 major titles.
A 25th is certainly possible if Djokovic can reach the level he dug out at the Olympics.
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