Novak Djokovic of Serbia was overtaken with emotion after defeating Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2) to win the gold medal in men’s tennis singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday.
It’s not difficult to understand why. Djokovic, 37, became the oldest player in tennis history to win an Olympic gold medal in singles. Not only that, but the Serbian tennis star became only the fifth player in tennis history to accomplish the Golden Slam (winning all four major titles plus a gold medal), a career milestone that Djokovic had previously missed. And it was clear how much the victory meant to Djokovic, who dropped his head in his hands in shock before shaking hands with Alcaraz and collapsing on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
A lifelong dream realized.
Novak Djokovic is overcome by emotion after winning his first Olympic gold medal. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/g7GI6cxmYa
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2024
Djokovic was so emotional that his hands shook as he knelt on the Roland Garros court.
Novak Djokovic was shaking after winning the gold medal match against Carlos Alcaraz at the Olympics.
He wanted this so badly.
Chills.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 4, 2024
Then, in a genuinely memorable moment, Djokovic celebrated his gold medal win with his family.
Wow – have never seen Djokovic this emotional … incredible
Sports. pic.twitter.com/rJjdDnsITP
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) August 4, 2024
It’s uncommon to see Djokovic this impassioned, but it’s also unusual to have a victory matter so much to a man who appears to have nothing further to conquer in the sport. Djokovic is the most decorated men’s tennis player in history, having won 24 major championships. But after 16 years of waiting, including a bronze medal win in Beijing in 2008 and three consecutive Olympics where he fell short of the medal stand, Djokovic finally won gold. When asked if it was the missing piece of his career puzzle, Djokovic responded as follows. “Yes, it is,” Djokovic replied. “It is. I always reassure myself that I am enough. Because I can be really self-critical. I do not know. That’s one of the most intense internal conflicts I continue to have with myself.” “I feel like I haven’t accomplished or been enough in my life, both on and off the court. So this is a significant lesson for me. I am extremely glad for the opportunity to win a historic gold medal for my country. Complete the golden slam. “To finish all the records.” When asked if the slams, medals, and other legendary moments he had generated were enough, Djokovic simply said, “I think so.”