Paris: Tears flowed freely as Novak Djokovic sat in his chair, overwhelmed by the weight of his monumental achievement.
The 37-year-old Serbian legend had just secured his place in history as the oldest man to win an Olympic gold medal in tennis singles since Miloslav Mecir in 1988. His emotional moment came after a thrilling three-hour battle against Spain’s rising star, Carlos Alcaraz, at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
I don't think I've ever seen Djokovic as emotional as this with a win before. He had to fight so hard coming back from surgery, had so many doubters and people calling him a liar, saying he's finished etc.
The match, held on the iconic clay courts of Roland Garros on Sunday, was a testament to Djokovic's enduring skill and tenacity. In a dramatic display of tennis prowess, he triumphed in straight sets, 7-6(3), 7-6(2), marking the culmination of years of relentless pursuit.
As Djokovic clinched the final point, he erupted in celebration, but the real tears came when he sat down, hugging his parents and siblings as he processed the magnitude of his victory.
No se vacuno, no se puso enfermo, lo deportaron, lo trataron como escoria, lo señalaron, lo maltrataron, insultaron, lo discriminaron, como a muchos de vosotros, de nosotros. DJOKOVIC es el mejor jugador de la historia del Tenis. Freedom Always Wins. pic.twitter.com/YO2RpUymyN
Surrounded by a chorus of cheers from fans and the supportive embrace of his team, Djokovic's tears were a poignant reminder of his journey—one marked by relentless dedication and passion. The Olympic gold medal, a prize that had long eluded him, now completed his extraordinary collection of titles, which includes all four Grand Slams, all ATP Masters, and the Davis Cup.
For Alcaraz, the final marked a different narrative. Despite his valiant effort and recent triumph over Djokovic at Wimbledon, the 21-year-old Spaniard had to settle for silver in his Olympic debut. The young star's future remains bright, as he continues to promise a new chapter in tennis.
As Djokovic savored his historic win, the tears of triumph spoke volumes about a career defined by perseverance and unmatched excellence.
