Djokovic wins the title he lacked – takes Olympic gold

A 37-year-old against a 21-year-old. A world number two against a world number three. Novak Djokovic against Carlos Alcaraz in the Olympic Games final – where the Serb took the title he lacked and can call himself Olympic champion. Finally, I've done it, says the Serb after the victory.

» Updated:

» Published:

Djokovic wins the title he lacked – takes Olympic gold
Photo: Andy Wong/AP/TT

Share this article

The Olympic Games final was a replay of the Wimbledon final in July, which the Spaniard won fairly easily in three straight sets.

World number three Carlos Alcaraz faced world number two Novak Djokovic. But now the circumstances were different, and the 37-year-old Serb, who has won almost everything that can be won but lacks an Olympic gold medal, was hungry for revenge.

Djokovic took the first set in a tiebreak on the center court Philippe Chatrier on the Roland Garros clay in Paris. It was a long and sweaty first set (7–6), over an hour and a half long.

In the second, the stars continued to serve up magnificent, even tennis to the great delight of the audience. They followed each other to 6–6 and a new tiebreak. There, Djokovic won again. Now he can call himself an Olympic champion. After the win, he burst into tears and held a towel over his face.

I'm still in shock, don't know what to say. Finally, I've done it (won Olympic gold), says Novak Djokovic in the Max broadcast.

He had 24 Grand Slam titles and a total of 98 singles titles before the final. Now he has 99 – but most importantly, he has an Olympic gold medal.

We played almost three hours in two sets, he says about the final against Alcaraz, whom he praises for his play.

Djokovic played with a gray knee brace due to a previous injury, but it didn't seem to affect him significantly.

The 37-year-old Djokovic showed that old is gold – and he is now the oldest man to win Olympic gold in the singles tournament since 1908.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Alex Norén Claims PGA Championship Title After Playoff Victory

Alex Norén Claims PGA Championship Title After Playoff Victory

Jamaica Wins First Men's 100m World Championship Gold Since Bolt

Jamaica Wins First Men's 100m World Championship Gold Since Bolt

Kajsa Bergqvist Emotional Over Almgren's World Championship Bronze

Kajsa Bergqvist Emotional Over Almgren's World Championship Bronze

Stockholm Derby Ends in Dramatic 3-3 Draw as Djurgården Scores Late

Stockholm Derby Ends in Dramatic 3-3 Draw as Djurgården Scores Late

Rolfö Shines with Assist in Super League Debut for Manchester United

Rolfö Shines with Assist in Super League Debut for Manchester United

Andreas Almgren Wins Historic Bronze in 10,000m at World Championships

Andreas Almgren Wins Historic Bronze in 10,000m at World Championships

Rosengård Suffers Fourth Straight Loss in 2-1 Defeat to AIK

Rosengård Suffers Fourth Straight Loss in 2-1 Defeat to AIK

Maja Åskag Places Ninth in World Championship Long Jump Final

Maja Åskag Places Ninth in World Championship Long Jump Final

Alexander Isak Misses Liverpool Debut in Win Over Burnley

Alexander Isak Misses Liverpool Debut in Win Over Burnley

Ricky Hatton, Two-Time World Champion Boxer, Dies at 46

Ricky Hatton, Two-Time World Champion Boxer, Dies at 46

Vanessa Kamga Sets Double Swedish Records and Stays in Japan

Vanessa Kamga Sets Double Swedish Records and Stays in Japan

Kramer Aims for World Championship Success in Tokyo Despite Illness

Kramer Aims for World Championship Success in Tokyo Despite Illness

Armand Duplantis Pursues World Record in Tokyo Pole Vault Final

Armand Duplantis Pursues World Record in Tokyo Pole Vault Final

Mikko Kokkonen Suspended Two Games for Cross-Checking Incident

Mikko Kokkonen Suspended Two Games for Cross-Checking Incident

Duplantis Considered Changing Name to Mondo but Family Intervened

Duplantis Considered Changing Name to Mondo but Family Intervened

Andreas Almgren Aims for World Championship Medal in Tokyo

Andreas Almgren Aims for World Championship Medal in Tokyo

Rebecka Hallerth Narrowly Misses Hammer Throw Final at World Championships

Rebecka Hallerth Narrowly Misses Hammer Throw Final at World Championships

Samuel Pihlström Advances to Semifinals Amid Protest Drama at Tokyo Championship

Samuel Pihlström Advances to Semifinals Amid Protest Drama at Tokyo Championship

Luleå Dominates SHL Opener with Record Goal and Eriksson Hat-Trick

Luleå Dominates SHL Opener with Record Goal and Eriksson Hat-Trick

Swedish Talent Lucas Bergvall Shines with Goal and Assist in Premier League

Swedish Talent Lucas Bergvall Shines with Goal and Assist in Premier League