Novak Djokovic achieved his long-standing dream of winning an Olympic gold medal by defeating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in the 2024 Olympic final. This gold medal was the only title missing from his illustrious career.
Match Highlights: Djokovic vs. Alcaraz
Set 1
19:11: The match begins, with Djokovic serving first.
19:16, 1-0: Djokovic takes the lead 40-0, with Alcaraz narrowing it to 30-40. Nole secures the game with an ace to the corner.
19:25, 1-1: A tightly contested game. Alcaraz saves a breakpoint with a perfect drop shot, despite multiple 40-40 ties. The Spanish player wins the game with a powerful backhand that forces an error from Nole.
19:32, 2-1: After Alcaraz is forced out wide by a powerful shot, Nole misses a smash, trailing 30-0. The score ties at 30-30 with a strong running forehand from Djokovic. A net error from Alcaraz gives Nole a 40-30 lead. Djokovic wins with an inside-out forehand error from Alcaraz.
19:42, 2-2: Alcaraz misreads Nole’s drop shot, leading 30-0, followed by a 187 km/h return for a 40-0 lead. Alcaraz saves one break with a deep forehand, another with a solid backhand, and a third after a wide return. Alcaraz clinches the game with a perfect drop shot.
19:50, 3-2: Alcaraz equalizes at 30-30 with a brilliant return and leads 40-30 with a heavy shot. Nole saves the break with a sharp serve to the T. Alcaraz has another break chance after Nole’s net shot, but Nole saves it as Alcaraz fails to clear the net. Alcaraz is presented with another break opportunity, saved by Nole’s powerful serve. Djokovic continues with two decisive serves, preventing Alcaraz from returning effectively.
19:54, 3-3: Alcaraz leads 40-15 with a perfect running forehand. The Spanish player scores again to equalize at 3-3.
19:58, 4-3: Djokovic leads 30-0 with a shot into Alcaraz’s racquet edge and 40-0 after Alcaraz’s return nets. Nole avoids a game point after a double fault, but Alcaraz nets again in the following play.
20:02, 4-4: Alcaraz’s impressive return forces a netted drop shot from Djokovic. Alcaraz ends the game with a whitewash.
20:17, 5-4: Alcaraz leads 30-0 after Nole’s double fault but equalizes with a perfect down-the-line shot. Alcaraz is close to breaking when Djokovic nets a forehand but saves it with a lob. Alcaraz stands before another break after a perfect drop shot. Nole equalizes again, taking the lead after an excellent volley. Djokovic secures victory with a deceptive serve.
20:23, 5-5: Alcaraz leads 40-30 after Djokovic’s wide return, sealing the game with an inside-out forehand.
20:28, 6-5: Alcaraz errors with a lob while trailing 40-30 against Djokovic.
20:36, 6-6: Spectators cheer as Alcaraz leads Djokovic 30-15 with a slide backhand and drop shot. Alcaraz cuts the ball poorly, facing a setpoint, but saves it with a body serve and an impressive net rush. A decisive serve ends Nole’s resistance. The set proceeds to a tiebreak.
20:45, 7-3 Tie-break: Both players hold their service points through the first six exchanges. On the seventh serve, Djokovic takes the mini-break with an exceptional return. The score increases to 5-3 for Nole after Alcaraz misses two baseline shots. Djokovic capitalizes on his first set point to win.
Djokovic wins the first set
Set 2
20:50: The second set begins, with Alcaraz serving first.
20:56, 0-1: Alcaraz leads 40-0 after a deep return from Djokovic. The score tightens to 40-30 when Alcaraz’s drop shot falls short, and Nole’s wide return. Alcaraz scores with an excellent volley, equalized by Djokovic’s brilliant running forehand. Alcaraz takes the advantage after pushing Djokovic deep and wins after Nole’s long backhand.
20:59, 1-1: Djokovic leads 30-0 with a down-the-line shot and 40-0 after Alcaraz nets. A perfect passing shot from Nole gives him a clean game victory.
21:04, 1-2: Alcaraz leads 30-0 after Nole nets a backhand but ties at 30-30 after a double fault and faces a break after a forehand error. Alcaraz saves the break with an inside-out forehand. He wins the game with two consecutive points.
21:08, 2-2: Alcaraz’s topspin error gives Nole a 30-0 lead. It becomes 40-0 after Nole’s impressive net approach. Djokovic secures a whitewash with a strong serve that Alcaraz returns out.
21:11, 2-3: Nole leads 30-15 with a solid backhand but is equalized 30-30 after Alcaraz’s great net defense. Alcaraz takes the lead with a powerful topspin. The score ties again before Alcaraz wins with two additional points.
21:19, 3-3: Nole leads 40-15 with a perfect serve and scores next when Alcaraz misses a net shot.
21:23, 3-4: Alcaraz leads 40-15 with a swift approach, capitalizing on his first game point.
21:31, 4-4: Alcaraz ties 30-30 with a swing volley, equalized 40-40 after Djokovic narrowly misses the baseline. Djokovic holds his game with a brilliant serve.
21:38, 4-5: Alcaraz leads 30-0 with superb play and 40-0 after Djokovic’s wide return. Nole retrieves three points with an excellent net approach. A long rally ends with Alcaraz’s defensive win, sending Djokovic sprawling. Alcaraz forces Djokovic back, finishing with a smash.
21:44, 5-5: Djokovic’s amazing recovery and drop shot give him a 30-15 lead. He leads 40-15 with an ace, and Alcaraz narrows it to 30-40 with a down-the-line backhand. Djokovic wins the game as Alcaraz’s lob goes out.
21:46, 5-6: Alcaraz leads 30-0 after Djokovic’s return fault and 40-0 with a wide baseline return. Alcaraz whitewashes Djokovic as Nole’s return goes out.
21:50, 6-6: Djokovic leads 30-0 with a strong net charge, achieving 40-0 with an inside-out forehand. Nole wins a clean game.
21:58: Djokovic leads 2-0 in the tie-break after Alcaraz nets. The score closes to 2-2, but Nole leads 3-2 with a perfect cross-court running forehand, pressuring Alcaraz to the baseline. Alcaraz’s errors extend Nole’s lead to 6-2, giving Djokovic four gold medal points.
22:02: VICTORY FOR DJOKOVIC! Djokovic capitalizes on his first opportunity, winning 7-2 and securing the 2024 Olympic gold medal.
Statistical Highlights
Djokovic is the oldest player to reach the Olympic men’s singles final, while Alcaraz is the youngest in history to do so.
