Gold is the ultimate sports achievement, according to Djokovic

The greatest accomplishment of Novak Djokovic’s career, according to him, was defeating Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday to win the gold medal in singles at the Olympics on his fifth try.

The 37-year-old Serbian won 7-6(3) 7-6(2) to complete his career Golden Slam in a remarkable manner at Roland Garros, not dropping a set in six matches. This victory put an end to an eight-month trophy drought.

Remarkably, 21 days after being thrashed by Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final and two months after knee surgery, he became the oldest player to win the Olympic singles championship since tennis returned to the Games in 1988.

“I played three out of four Olympic Games in the semi-finals and couldn’t overcome that obstacle,” Djokovic said to reporters, sporting his medal with pride. “I won the bronze in my first Olympic Games (2008) and ever since then failed to win the medal.”

“And then, at the age of 37, there’s a 21-year-old who is perhaps the finest player in the world at the moment, winning Wimbledon and Roland Garros consecutively and playing amazing tennis.

“When I take everything into consideration, this probably is the biggest sporting success I’ve ever had in my career.”

To defeat Alcaraz, the 24-time Grand Slam winner displayed a level of tennis that has been lacking this year.

Following an intense, nearly three-hour match that he won with a forehand winner, Djokovic broke down in tears on the court before heading into the seats to hug his family—wife Jelena and son Stefan—as well as his teammates.

“Until today I thought that carrying the Serbian flag at the 2012 opening ceremony in London is the best feeling that an athlete could have,” he stated.

“This kind of supersedes everything that I imagined, that I hoped that I could experience and that I could feel.”

While Djokovic would not rule out competing in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, he did admit that his motivation came from realizing that Paris was likely his final chance to win the gold.

“I was ready for this tournament and I didn’t drop a set the entire tournament,” he stated. “Based on my performance in the first two rounds, I knew that this was my chance. If it is going to happen, it is going to happen right now.

“I was so relieved to make it to the finals since it was the obstacle I was unable to overcome. I did rejoice as though I had won the match. Of course, I wanted gold, and I also understood that to get it, I would have to play Alcaraz, the world’s tallest mountain.”

In a battle of breathtaking brilliance and intensity, Djokovic saved eight break chances; the Serbian player said the clash was unlike any he had ever seen.

“I don’t think I’ve ever played, maybe a few times in my life, such a high level for three hours for only two sets,” he stated. “Credit to him, congratulations to him for a great tournament, great fighting spirit.”