Jubilant Djokovic says the puzzle is complete after stunning win over Alcaraz at Paris Olympics
The 37-year-old has now won every major title available to win in tennis
© DPPI / Panoramic
An ecstatic Novak Djokovic said he had completed the final piece of the puzzle after he beat Carlos Alcaraz to win Olympic gold at Roland-Garros on Sunday.
The Serbian’s 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) victory over Alcaraz made him the oldest man to win the title at 37 but more importantly, made him only the fifth player in history to win all four slams and Olympic gold in their career.
After celebrating wildly with his family and team in the player box on Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic was asked by American TV network NBC if his puzzle is now complete.
“Yes, it is,” he said. “I’m telling myself always that I am enough. Because I can be very self-critical. I don’t know. That’s one of the biggest internal battles I keep on fighting with myself, that I feel like I haven’t done enough or been enough in my life on and off the court. So it’s a big lesson for me. I’m super-grateful for the blessing to win a historic gold medal for my country. To complete the golden slam. To complete all the records.”
Djokovic: “Arguably the biggest success I had”
With 24 Grand Slams, Djokovic is tied with Margaret Court in the all-time list but went into the Olympics having won just one Olympic medal, a bronze in Beijing in 2008, having also lost in the semi-finals in 2012 and 2020. His win over Lorenzo Musetti in the semis assured him of at least a silver and then, on Sunday, he played one of the best matches of his career to reverse the result of the Wimbledon final, when he was well-beaten by a rampant Alcaraz.
“I’m overwhelmed with everything I’m feeling right now,” he said. “Feeling different emotions. Too proud. Too happy. Thrilled with the possibility to win a gold for the first time in my career for my country. Arguably the biggest success I had. I won probably everything there is to win in my individual career. Winning Davis Cup and particularly a golden medal at age 37 for Serbia is unprecedented. I’m just starting my celebration. I can’t wait for what’s coming up in the next 48 hours.”
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