Novak Djokovic inconsolable after winning Paris Olympics gold, hugs daughter Tara amid tears to celebrate victory in emotional fashion
Novak Djokovic won his maiden Olympic gold medal on Sunday, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics in straight sets. By doing so, the Serb achieved the Career Golden Slam, becoming only the fifth player in history to complete the accomplishment.
Taking on Alcaraz after having lost their previous battle at Wimbledon, Djokovic was at his very best on Court Philippe-Chartrier. Neither player lost serve all day on the clay, taking things to a tiebreaker in both sets. In the end, the 37-year-old veteran prevailed 7-6(3), 7-6(2) after a marathon clash that ran nearly three hours under the sun in Paris.
For Djokovic, the win was extra special, considering that the Olympic gold was the only big trophy that was missing in his cabinet. The World No. 2 had come close several times, finishing third in Sydney and fourth in Tokyo, exiting the stage in tears both times after not winning gold.
On Sunday, tears were not spared either, but this time it was out of joy. After Alcaraz's return missed the baseline and was called long, the former World No. 1 greeted the Spaniard at the net for their customary handshake and immediately started crying as the emotions got the better of him.
Djokovic then grabbed a Serbian flag and carried it across the court, still in tears. A few moments later, he rushed to his player's box to greet his family, hugging his daughter Tara the hardest with tears of joy still streaming down his face.
The World No. 2's victory in Paris is the first title he has won this year, and more remarkably, his first win over a top 10 player in 2024. He had previously exited the Australian Open in the semifinals, the French Open in the quarterfinals (withdrew with injury) and Wimbledon in the final.
What lies ahead for Novak Djokovic after Paris Olympics victory?
Following his victory run at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Novak Djokovic is set to be in action next at the North American hardcourt swing. Next week, the ATP Tour will move to the Canadian Open, the first ATP 1000 event of the swing. However, Djokovic has already withdrawn from it, as has Paris runner-up Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz and the Serb are likely to play next at the Masters 1000 Cincinnati Open, where they both reached the final last year. Djokovic prevailed there in a marathon three-setter back then, the longest best-of-three final in ATP history.