Paris 2024: Novak Djokovic Wins First Olympic Gold In Maiden Final

 

For the first time in Novak Djokovic's career, he is an Olympic champion after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the tennis tournament final to win the gold medal for Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

Alcaraz lost to the multiple Gram Slam winner in straight set, 7-6 (3) 7-6(2) on Court Philippe and took home the silver medal for Spain. Even at loss, Alcaraz, 21, is the youngest player in tennis ever to win an Olympic medal. This is just weeks after he defended his Wimbledon title against Djokovic. 

Having to win an Olympic medal even a gold is one career-long search for Djokovic and he can not afford to let the moment slid on his maiden final appearance. At Tokyo Olympics, he missed out on the top prize for losing in the semi-finals to Alexander Zverev, who went on to claim the gold medal for Germany. 

Djokovic got off to a great start from the opening set, and even though it lasted into into an hour and half, he maintained composure as the Spanaird can be seen to be a little frustrated on his errors. Both players kept abreast of each other until Alcaraz forced a tiebreak, holding off a set-point before Djokovic hit a return just wide over the backline. The three set-point claimed in the tiebreak was a sighed of relief to realising what had eluded him through his career. 

The decider was not easier either for Djokovic. The Serb brought his finest performance into the second set knowing well what Alacarz can make of a comeback, he denied the Spaniard a set-point at 5-6 to force the set to the distance for a tie-break. At this time, Djokovic gained better control to take 5-2 lead and went on to claim historic victory.

Never before has Djokovic reached an Olympic final, and on his maiden final, he capped his medal streak with first Olympic singles gold. Otherwise, it can be regarded as Golden Slam having won every other major singles title.