Current:Home > FinanceNovak Djokovic beats Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Olympic gold medal -MoneyMatrix
Novak Djokovic beats Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Olympic gold medal
View
Date:2025-04-15 15:43:50
PARIS – Novak Djokovic finally has an Olympic gold medal around his neck.
After chasing this last prize his entire career – the only major accomplishment in tennis he hadn’t been able to check off – the 37-year old Djokovic was down to his last chance at the Paris Olympics.
Summoning every bit of energy he had left in the tank Sunday, against the 21-year old who has taken his place on top of the sport, Djokovic managed to play one of the best matches of his career to beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6, 7-6 inside Court Philippe Chatrier.
When it was over after 2 hours, 37 minutes and one monster down-the-line forehand on match point, Djokovic dropped his racket and put his hands over his mouth. Then, after an embrace with Alcaraz, he dropped to his knees in exhaustion and emotion and stayed down for nearly a minute. Then he went into the stands, embracing his team and family.
➤ Get Olympics updates in your texts! Join USA TODAY Sports' WhatsApp Channel
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
Even for a man with 24 Grand Slam titles and nearly every significant record in the sport, this is the crowning achievement that he has long sought. Because this one wasn’t just for himself, it was for his beloved Serbia.
After gutting defeats in Rio and Tokyo, Djokovic wanted this badly. Even built his year around it. But after injuring his knee during the French Open and having meniscus surgery, it was unclear whether he would even be healthy enough to play the Olympics.
But Djokovic managed to return in time for Wimbledon, getting to the finals before Alcaraz crushed him in three sets.
This one was tightly played throughout, with no breaks of serve on either side. In the end, Djokovic was better in both tiebreakers.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (75563)
Related
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Bethenny Frankel talks feuds, throwing drinks, and becoming an accidental influencer
- Israel is using an AI system to find targets in Gaza. Experts say it's just the start
- Top TV of 2023: AP’s selections include ‘Succession,’ ‘Jury Duty,’ ‘Shrinking,’ ‘Swarm’
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Putin supporters formally nominate him as independent candidate in Russian presidential election
- Federal agency quashes Georgia’s plan to let pharmacies sell medical marijuana
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar falls and breaks hip at Los Angeles concert
- Sam Taylor
- Stephen A. Smith and Steve Kerr feud over Steph Curry comments: 'I'm disgusted with him'
Ranking
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Who plays William, Kate, Diana and the queen in 'The Crown'? See Season 6, Part 2 cast
- Prolific Chicago sculptor whose public works explored civil rights, Richard Hunt dies at 88
- Boxer Andre August rethinking future after loss to Jake Paul, trainer says
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Japan and ASEAN bolster ties at summit focused on security amid China tensions
- Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes fined a combined $150,000 for criticizing officials, AP source says
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar falls and breaks hip at Los Angeles concert
Recommendation
Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
Prolific Chicago sculptor whose public works explored civil rights, Richard Hunt dies at 88
Who plays William, Kate, Diana and the queen in 'The Crown'? See Season 6, Part 2 cast
79-year-old Alabama woman arrested after city worker presses charges over dispute at council meeting
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Stars Have a Full Cast Reunion That Will Lift Your Spirits
Watch as Rob Gronkowski sings the national anthem at the start of the LA Bowl
As 2023 holidays dawn, face masks have settled in as an occasional feature of the American landscape