“The last thing he needed to accomplish” – Sinner on Djokovic’s golden glory

He may have missed out on the Olympic Games but the world No 1 Jannik Sinner knows how much the gold medal means

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner (Virginie Bouyer/Panoramic)

August 6, 2024

Last Sunday, Novak Djokovic won the first Olympic gold medal of his career. In the white-hot atmosphere of the Court Philippe-Chatrier, the Serb beat Carlos Alcaraz – who had outclassed him in the Wimbledon final a few weeks earlier – in straight sets 7-6(3), 7-6(2).

World No 1 Jannik Sinner, who missed the Olympics due to illness, had a close eye on the battle on court as well as their reactions afterwards.

Speaking on Monday, the Italian said: “Of course I understand [Djokovic’s emotional reaction], but I think he understands it more than anyone else.

“He tried so hard to get this medal, which was the last thing he needed to accomplish. He knew this in his mind.

“He was close couple of times, making bronze or fourth a couple of times. This year was his year, and it was just a very nice scene, to see how much this means to him. Also, the reaction of Carlos after. It is the same reaction, but the opposite way. We work for these kinds of things, success. Obviously, Novak has many more years of expectations also. It’s very nice to see.”

Sinner makes his return to action in Montreal this week, as the top seed, and will open his campaign against either Pedro Martinez or a qualifier in the last 16.