By Richard Paglaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, August 4, 2024
Photo credit: Jean Catuffe/Getty
Champions learn from loss.
Novak Djokovic delivered a lesson in poise under pressure in his 7-6, 7-6 victory over second-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in today’s Paris Olympic gold-medal match then gave the reigning Roland Garros champion an encouraging endorsement.
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In his fifth Olympic Games, the 37-year-old Serbian superstar made history as the oldest player to win the Olympic singles gold medal since tennis returned to the Games at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
At net, Djokovic told Alcaraz his gold-medal moment is coming.
“He told me that I will win Olympic gold one day,” Alcaraz told the media in his post-match press conference. “And we are going to work for it. I’m sure my time will come.”
Djokovic is the fifth champion to complete the career Golden Grand Slam joining Steffi Graf, the only player to sweep the calendar Golden Grand Slam in 1988, her husband, Andre Agassi (1999), Rafael Nadal (2010) and Serena Williams (2012).
Two-time Wimbledon winner Alcaraz, who failed to convert any of his eight break-point chances, said he’s committed to bringing home an Olympic gold medal for Spain someday.
“Honestly I always want to win that’s for sure,” Alcaraz said. “Obviously, taking a silver medal I have to be really, really proud. I’m building a great career, I guess, I hope it’s gonna keep going.
“Obviously, I’m really proud to be in this position. I’m really proud to bring a medal to Spain,” Alcaraz told NBC’s Britney Eurton. “I’m pretty sure my moment will come. I will bring the gold to Spain one day.
“I’m gonna wait for that moment, I’m gonna work for that moment. Now I have to enjoy lifting the silver is pretty amazing as well.”
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