Novak Djokovic creates history at Paris 2024, becomes 1st player to reach 4 Olympics QFs in singles since tennis' 1988 reintroduction
Novak Djokovic has reached the men's singles quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics after making short work of Germany's Dominik Koepfer in the third round on Wednesday, July 31. In doing so, the Serb became the first singles player following tennis' 1988 reintroduction to the Olympics to reach the quarterfinals at four different editions of the Games.
Djokovic set up the third-round clash against World No. 70 Koepfer after beating Matthew Ebden and Rafael Nadal in the first two rounds.
The World No. 2 was not at his best against the German and made some uncharacteristic unforced errors throughout the contest. However, Djokovic capitalized on Koepfer's weak backhand, repeatedly targeting it and reaping the rewards. Ultimately, the 24-time Major clinched the match 7-5, 6-3, wrapping things up in just an hour and 37 minutes.
The win helped Djokovic to create yet another record in his career. This time, he became the first player in singles competition to reach four quarterfinals at the prestigious Games since tennis was reintroduced back in 1988.
Prior to the win over Koepfer, Djokovic was level with his great rival Roger Federer, German former WTA World No. 1 Angelique Kerber, Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori, and yesteryear Spanish WTA great Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in reaching three separate Olympic quarterfinals. Kerber reached her third Olympic quarterfinal at the Paris Games 2024.
The Serbian's previous quarterfinal appearances at the Olympics came at the 2008, 2012, and 2020 editions in Beijing, London, and Tokyo respectively.
Djokovic's best finish so far at the Olympics came in 2008 in Beijing, where he won the individual bronze medal after winning his third place match against the USA's James Blake.
Novak Djokovic to lock horns against Stefanos Tsitsipas in men's singles quarterfinals at Paris Olympics
Djokovic is slated to square off against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Paris Olympics' men's singles quarterfinals. The Serbian and the Greek have met on thirteen previous occasions on the ATP Tour, including the finals of the 2023 Australian Open and 2021 French Open.
Djokovic leads the head-to-head against Tsitsipas 11-2. The pair's last clash came in the final of the 2023 Australian Open, which Djokovic won 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5). Tsitsipas' two wins against the Serb came in 2018 and 2019 at the ATP Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Shanghai respectively.
Tsitsipas, who has been a resurgent force on the ATP Tour this year, sealed his progress to the quarterfinals after getting past Zizou Bergs, Daniel Evans, and most recently Sebastian Baez. The Greek's win over Baez marked the first time he has reached the men's singles quarterfinals at the Olympics.
In his only previous Olympics outing at the Tokyo Games 2020, Tsitsipas reached the third round before being ousted by France's Ugo Humbert.