Novak Djokovic is the new Olympic tennis champion, a first in his already fabulous career, at the end of an absolutely storybook final against his great rival, the young Carlos Alcaraz from Spain, ranked 3rd in the ATP world rankings.
The most beautiful Olympic tennis final in history, without a doubt, decided by two tiebreaks, with no breaks recorded, score 7-6, 7-6, in favor of the Serbian.
The first set of this Olympic final was one of the most beautiful stories of at least this 2024 tennis season. Like two rocks standing face to face, in the opening of a tumultuous ocean strait, Djokovic and Alcaraz heroically resisted in knife-edge ball exchanges, each saving many break points in turn. Including a set point for Djokovic at 6-5. This after the Serbian had saved 5 consecutive break points of the tenacious Carlitos at 4-4.
A single minibreak practically decided the tiebreak of the first set, won by a bold Djokovic, who took the lead on the scoreboard at the end of a first set that lasted an hour and 40 minutes, a true record worthy of such an Olympic final, with such a lineup on the marquee.
The battle continued just as fiercely from the start of the second set, with the only difference being that this time, Alcaraz started to get on the scoreboard, and he was the one to be chased by the former ATP world number one.
This final reached a tiebreak without any breaks, knocking on the doors of a second tiebreak, which could decide or prolong this Olympic final that we will talk about for a long time in the future.
Alcaraz conceded this tiebreak, perhaps deep emotions played a role, perhaps the hunger, ambition, and immense will of Djokovic to achieve this final career goal prevailed.
Thus, Djokovic fulfilled The Golden Slam, which in common language means winning all Grand Slam tournaments, plus the Olympic gold in men's singles.
Therefore, the most beautiful revenge for the Serbian against the one who defeated him in three sets at the Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament just a month ago.
Match unfolding:
Novak Djokovic is the Olympic champion, this last point is fabulous, this final is fabulous, all around!
5-2, two points away from victory for Nole. We are holding our breath as well. But two services are coming up for Carlos.
4-2 at the changeover!
There is nothing more to say, Djokovic is a superhuman, an absolutely unreal cross shot, 3-2 for the Serbian, so close to his dream!
2-1 for Djokovic, a final long rally won by the Spaniard!
17.51: And we have another tiebreak, no breaks in this final, unreal!
17.44: We have extensions in this set as well, it's 5-5.
17.37: Although he had come back to 0-40, Djokovic cannot resist Alcaraz, who continues to find the answers.
17.31: It's 4-4, we may be approaching the conclusion of this Olympic final.
17.20: Nole also resists well, Alcaraz sometimes insists foolishly with drop shots or passing shots that miss their mark.
17.13: Alcaraz also mentally holds on, it's 3-2.
17.08: 2-2, Djokovic is a rock today, making very few mistakes.
17.03: Alcaraz stays ahead after saving a break point, it's 2-1.
16.55: Alcaraz leads on the scoreboard for the first time, 1-0, with some nerves, after Nole came back from 0-40.
16.50: The second set begins, Alcaraz is in control.
16.44: 7-3 in the tiebreak for Djokovic, fabulous tennis played by both competitors, the entire set lasted an hour and 40 minutes, like a single great match!
16.35: The two are so close, undoubtedly at a high level. We have a tiebreak, well deserved, after Carlos saves a set point!
16.28: Djokovic puts pressure on Alcaraz, goes up 6-5 and forces the Spaniard to take the set to a tiebreak.
16.23: Strong emotions for the Spaniard, but ultimately he levels at 5 and takes the set to extra points.
16.16: Amazingly, Djokovic saves 5 break points and remains in the lead in this fabulous first set at Paris.
16.01: The match continues evenly, it's 4-4.
15.57: Djokovic stands firm, it's now 4-3 for the Serbian.
15.53: 3-3, a calmer game for the Spaniard.
15.49: Now it's Nole's turn to save two break points from Alcaraz, we are witnessing an extremely intense and balanced final.
15.41: A superb comeback in this last game for Carlos, from 0-40.
15.31: Djokovic takes the lead, 2-1, coming back from 15-30.
15.25: A long game, lasting about 10 minutes. Carlos escapes from 3 break points of his rival.
15.15: 1-0 Nole, a good start for the Serbian, he had 40-0, but then Alcaraz got a bit into the match.
THE MATCH BEGINS!
15.05: The official warm-up begins, Carlos chose the court, Djokovic will open the final with his service.
15.00: Live images from Chatrier, the two players are still in the locker room and are about to be announced by the announcer to enter the arena.
The rematch of the last Wimbledon final is undoubtedly the most anticipated match of this Olympics, from the tennis tournament, of course.
It's a fight for the first Olympic title in the careers of these two players, right on the central court at Philippe Chatrier, where just 2 months ago, Alcaraz triumphed at Roland Garros. It will be the eighth encounter between the 2nd and 3rd ATP rankings, with Alcaraz currently leading overall, 4-3.
Alcaraz also attempted the doubles tournament this year at the Olympics, where he partnered with the great Rafa Nadal, but the two were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Djokovic, 37 years old, is one match away from the medal he has longed for throughout his career, his forbidden dream in previous editions, the only major goal still missing.
For the first time in Olympic history, the top two favorites of the tennis tournament meet in the final. Djokovic is the oldest finalist, and Alcaraz the youngest, with 16 years difference from the Serbian.
The match will be televised on EuroSport and TVR.