Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are set to clash in the men’s singles final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with the winner set to claim the coveted gold medal. The match marks a generational power grab in tennis, pitting two of the world’s best players against each other. At 37, Djokovic would become the oldest Olympic singles champion since the sport’s return in 1988, while at 21, Alcaraz would be the youngest ever.
For Djokovic, victory would bring his first Olympic gold after four previous attempts, an improvement from the bronze he won in Beijing in 2008. He would also become just the fifth player to complete the Golden Slam, a feat achieved by winning all four Grand Slams and an Olympic title. Only Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Steffi Graf have accomplished this remarkable achievement.
However, Djokovic enters the final still reeling from his defeat at Wimbledon just three weeks ago, where Alcaraz swept him off the court in a one-sided final. “I don’t consider myself a favorite because Alcaraz has proven he’s the best player in the world,” said Djokovic, acknowledging the Spaniard’s recent dominance, including back-to-back wins at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. “He won Roland Garros, he won Wimbledon and beat me in the final quite comfortably there.”
Despite his caution, Djokovic remains determined in his seventh career clash against Alcaraz. During his semifinal win over Lorenzo Musetti, he was warned for swearing and showcased his intensity, acutely aware that Paris 2024 represents his final chance for Olympic gold. “I was thinking about all the semifinals that I lost in the Olympic Games and that’s why I was very tense on the court. I was very nervous, a lot of emotions.”
Both Djokovic and Alcaraz have reached the final without dropping a set, with Djokovic seemingly unaffected by his right knee injury that he aggravated during his quarterfinal win against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Djokovic believes he’s “a different player” compared to the one who was defeated at Wimbledon. “In the way I move, the way I’m striking the ball,” Djokovic explained, highlighting his improved form. “Not to take anything away from him winning the Wimbledon final, he was dominating and deservedly a winner, but I feel more confident about myself and my chances in the final.”
The two have met twice on clay, with Alcaraz winning their first encounter in Madrid in 2022, while Djokovic prevailed in last year’s French Open semifinals. Alcaraz, who attributed his loss in that match to body cramps caused by the pressure of facing Djokovic, is now the fourth Spaniard to reach the Olympic men’s final after Jordi Arrese, Sergi Bruguera, and Nadal.
Alcaraz has visualized the victory, recognizing the magnitude of the accomplishment. “I have imagined (winning gold),” Alcaraz admitted. “I have thought about it and visualised it. “It is something that boosts my mood, that gives me the energy to keep going forward, keep learning, and give all my best every day.”
A win on Sunday would see Alcaraz join Graf and Nadal as the only players to win the French Open, Wimbledon, and Olympic gold in the same year. “We are one step closer. I would love to add my name next to Steffi’s and Rafa’s, two legends from sports in general. “But I will try not to think of every stat, the things I could achieve … I will try to avoid all that, and keep improving, and give my best, and make Spanish people proud.”
