Serbian Novak Djokovic defeated Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the Paris Olympics men’s singles gold medal match on Sunday to make history and become just the fifth player ever to complete a career Golden Slam.
Djokovic took nearly three hours to beat Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) on Court Philippe-Chatrier, telling NBC Sports: “We almost played three hours for two sets. It was an incredible battle, incredible fight. When the last shot went past him, that was the only moment I actually thought I could win the match. I mean I believed that I could win, but to actually win it, because he keeps on coming back. He keeps on asking me to play my best tennis. I don’t know what to say. I’m still in shock, honestly. I put my heart, my soul, my body, my family, my everything on the line to win Olympic gold at age 37. I finally did it.”
Alcaraz said after the defeat: “It is painful to lose the way that I lost this match. I had my opportunities. I couldn’t take them. Novak is playing great. He really settled in his position. In the difficult moments, he increased his level. He played unbelievable. I’m really disappointed, but honestly, I’m going to leave the court with my head really high. I gave everything that I had fighting for Spain. It was everything to me so I’m proud the way that I played today.”
Djokovic, a three-time French Open champion on the same clay courts of Roland Garros, joins Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams as the only tennis players to complete a career Golden Slam — wins of all four tennis Grand Slam tournaments and an Olympic gold medal.
Alcaraz, who won the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros, earned the silver medal; while Italian Lorenzo Musetti beat Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime to win the men’s singles bronze medal on Saturday.
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