Throwback: The Day Djokovic Won the Most Awaited Title of His Career

© AFP

Arthur Millot

le 04/08/2025 à 10h35

1 min to read

Alcaraz Djokovic

Exactly one year ago today, the legend Novak Djokovic claimed one of the most anticipated titles of his career with the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. After a hard-fought final, he triumphed over the future of world tennis, Carlos Alcaraz (7-6, 7-6).

Despite winning a bronze medal in his first Olympics in 2008, the Serbian seemed cursed in this competition—defeated in the semifinals by Murray in 2012 (7-5, 7-5), knocked out in the first round by Del Potro in 2016 (7-6, 7-6), and beaten by Zverev in the semifinals in 2021 (1-6, 6-3, 6-1).

At 37 years old, time was running out for the former world No. 1, and this Paris tournament felt like his last chance. Despite immense pressure on his shoulders, Djokovic successively eliminated Tsitsipas (6-3, 7-6), Musetti (6-4, 6-2), and finally Alcaraz (7-6, 7-6) to experience what he called "the greatest emotion of his career."

Though he reached the pinnacle that day, the Grand Slam record holder has no plans to stop there, as he aims to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A prospect that seems crazy, as the player would then be 41 years old.