Djokovic made history at Paris 2024 by beating Carlos Alcaraz and winning the gold medal

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz met again in a final after what was the last edition of Wimbledon.

On this occasion, the Serbian and the Spaniard competed for the long-awaited gold medal in the individual tennis final of the Paris Olympic Games, which was won by the experienced 37-year-old tennis player after defeating the 21-year-old in two straight sets by 7-6 (3) and 7-6 (2) in a match that lasted two hours and 50 minutes.

Unlike what happened in London, where the Murcian had swept Nole in three sets, this match began more evenly where both managed to hold serve until the end despite the fact that the Serbian was very close to breaking it in the fourth set after wasting three break points.

The fifth game was one of the longest ever played at the Philippe Chatrier. There, the Spaniard had up to six opportunities to break the Serbian’s serve at deuce. However, he was unable to take advantage of it, thanks to a Nole who did not give in. The set lasted until the end and was decided in the tiebreak by 7-6 (3) in favor of the native of Belgrade in one hour and 33 minutes.

The second set started in the same way as the previous one: evenly matched and practically error-free for both great tennis players, who knew how to defend their serve throughout the first games. During the fifth, two hours of an adrenaline-filled and tense match were completed, where the details marked the development of the game.

Djokovic and Alcaraz put on a show that was applauded by the crowd at every point. Both players earned a standing ovation from those present in the venue for the intensity with which they played each match. Finally, as happened in the first set, neither could break their opponent’s serve and the second was again decided in the tiebreak.

In the final round, the Serbian won again after gaining a lead in the first points. The score was 7-2 in favour of the multiple Grand Slam champion who burst into tears after winning the first gold medal of his career. The emotion was such that he could not hold back his tears and, without hesitation, ran to the stands to celebrate with his family.

Djokovic and Alcaraz have faced each other on 7 occasions

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have met on seven occasions, including the final of the Paris Olympics. This was the second time in 2024 and the third on clay. Before meeting for the gold medal, each had won three matches. In the previous meetings, the Spaniard won two, both at Wimbledon, and lost one, at the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati, on hard court. The other three meetings were in the semi-finals.

An Olympic final that has seen the two best players in the tournament reach the final. Since the competition started on July 27, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have shown in each match that they are far above their rivals.

In fact, both players went into the gold medal match without ever having lost a set in the tournament, and with eight hours and six minutes of play, in the case of the Serbian, and seven hours and 44 minutes in the case of the Spaniard. To reach the final, Alcaraz got rid of the Lebanese Habib (6-3, 6-1), the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (6-1, 7-6(3)), the Russian Roman Safiullin (6-4, 6-2), the American Tommy Paul (6-3, 7-6) and the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (6-1, 6-1).

Djokovic, on the other hand, has had a more difficult path, although he has been equally solid. Thus, he left behind the Australian Matthew Ebden (6-0, 6-1), Rafa Nadal (6-1, 6-4), the German Dominik Koepfer (7-5, 6-3), the Greek Stefanos Tsipsipas (6-3, 7-6(3)) and the Italian Lorenzo Musetti (6-4, 6-2).

Great triumph for the Serbian tennis player in Paris 2024.

With this medal he completes his list of achievements.

During the awards ceremony in Paris 2024.

Criolla Rosa Rodríguez made it to the hammer throw final in Paris 2024