"A really special moment... Hopefully I'll get gold"- Carlos Alcaraz elated after becoming youngest Olympics men's finalist in 120 years at Paris 2024
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach the 2024 Paris Olympics men's singles final in tennis. The Spaniard became the youngest men’s singles finalist at the Olympics since Robert LeRoy in 1904. He admitted after the semifinal that it will be a special moment in his career, and he has his sights set on winning the gold medal.
Alcaraz has been in phenomenal form of late, winning the French Open and Wimbledon titles. He has continued his dominance at the Olympics in Paris, and did not lose a set en route to the final.
The 21-year-old defeated Hady Habib, Tallon Griekspoor, Roman Safiullin, and Tommy Paul, before coming up against Canada's Auger-Aliassime in the semifinal on Friday, August 2. Just a day before, Auger-Aliassime had played a grueling quarterfinal against Casper Ruud, and was also in mixed doubles semifinal action.
Alcaraz brushed aside the Canadian, who looked fatigued, with a dominant performance. He won the match 6-1, 6-1 to become only the fourth Spanish man to reach an Olympic singles final.
In 1904, USA's Robert LeRoy reached the Olympics men's singles final at the age of 19. Since then, at 21, Alcaraz is the youngest Olympics men's singles finalist. When he was informed about his incredible feat during his post-match interview, the Spaniard joked:
“I’m gonna act like I didn’t hear that."
Further, Carlos Alcaraz mentioned that it will be a special moment in his career.
"Honestly it’s gonna a be a really special moment for me in my life and career. I’ll try to enjoy this moment. It’s gonna be difficult for sure, but it’s gonna be special."
"I’ll try to focus on myself. I’ll try not to hear all the fans and people saying I’m gonna win. I just wanna give my 100% and my best tennis. Hopefully I’ll reach my goal to get the gold," he added.
Carlos Alcaraz will take on Novak Djokovic or Lorenzo Musetti in the gold medal match at Paris Olympics 2024
Following his win over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinal, Carlos Alcaraz awaits the winner of the second semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti.
Alcaraz is tied 3-3 with Djokovic in their six encounters on tour. Their most recent battle was in the Wimbledon final, where the Spaniard outclassed the Serb in straight sets.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz has a 3-1 lead over Musetti in their four matches on tour. The Spaniard won their last encounter at the Miami Open in straight sets.
The men's singles gold medal match will take place on Sunday, August 4, while the bronze medal match will take place on Saturday, August 3.