Novak Djokovic completes Golden Slam in Paris 2024: ‘I can’t wait for the celebration’ | ATP Tour

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Djokovic completes his Golden Slam puzzle: ‘I can’t wait for the celebration’

The Serbian beat Alcaraz to claim his first gold medal on Sunday in Paris

August 04, 2024

The long wait is over for Novak Djokovic.

After nearly two decades of consistently winning the biggest titles and breaking the toughest records tennis has to offer, the Serbian on Sunday finally added an Olympic gold medal to his huge collection of accolades. Djokovic, who has long talked about winning Olympic gold for his country as one of his most coveted goals, was visibly upset after beating Carlos Alcaraz in a tense match in Paris.

“I’m frustrated with everything I’m hearing right now,” Djokovic said after the match on NBC. Millions of different emotions of course: good, proud, very happy. The opportunity to fight for gold and win gold for the first time in my career for my country is the biggest achievement I have ever had.

“Yes, I want everything there is to win in each of my careers, but winning the Davis Cup and especially the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Serbia at the age of thirty-seven is something that has never been seen before. I’m starting my celebration, I can’t wait for what will happen in the next forty-eight hours.”

37 years.
The Olympic #GOLD the recipient of the medal.

#Paris2024 | #tennis pic.twitter.com/TefOG3XT2N

– ATP Tour (@atptour) August 4, 2024

Long regarded as one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen, Djokovic added an Olympic gold medal to his record 24 major singles titles by defeating Alcaraz in straight sets. The Serbian is the fifth player to complete the Career Golden Slam by winning all four Grand Slam events and a solo Olympic gold, following Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.

“Yes, [my] puzzle, of course [complete],” admitted Djokovic, who has spent more weeks as No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings than any other player (428). “I always tell myself that it’s not enough, because I can criticize myself. It’s probably one of the biggest internal battles I’m constantly fighting with myself, that I feel like I’ve done enough. That I’m not enough in my life, on the court and off the court, so it’s a big lesson for me.

“I am very grateful for the blessing of winning a historic gold medal for my country, completing the Golden Slam, completing all the records.”