After seeing off Lorenzo Musetti in a one-sided semi-final, Djokovic got the better of Alcaraz in comprehensive fashion at Roland-Garros, winning 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2).
The 37-year-old’s only previous Olympics medal came way back in 2008, when he clinched bronze in Beijing.
Three years ago in Tokyo, Djokovic suffered defeat in the bronze medal match, just as he had done at London 2012.
While Djokovic beat Alcaraz in straight sets, in what was a repeat of the 2024 Wimbledon final, the Spaniard did not make it easy for the veteran Serbian, twice taking his rival to a tie break.
But Djokovic summoned all of his experience and nous to finally get his hands on a gold medal – and the joy was clear to see as he sealed the victory in the French capital.
After winning the decisive point, Djokovic dropped to his knees and put his head in his hands before looking to the heavens, with tears rolling down his face.
Moments later, the seven-time Wimbledon champion was pictured enjoying a touching moment with his daughter, Tara, as he joined his loved ones in the crowd inside Court Philippe Chatrier.
During the match, Tara was seen holding a sign which read, ‘Dad is the best’.
‘It was an incredible battle, incredible fight. Honestly, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was the only moment I actually thought I could win the match,’ Djokovic said after shortly after his victory.
‘I believed I could win but to actually win it… he [Alcaraz] keeps on coming back, he keeps on asking me to play my best tennis.
‘I thought I started the first set well, I had chances, he had chances as well. It was probably fair to finish both sets with a tie break, to be honest.
‘We both had our chances to break but when it mattered we both came out with big serves, some big plays. I don’t know what to say, I’m still in shock.’
Asked why the win was so special to him, Djokovic replied: ‘It’s everything but most of all it’s my country.
‘Most of all it’s the pride to play for Serbia. Carlos, Rafa [Nadal], they love to play for Spain. Andy [Murray] loves to play for Great Britain, Roger [Federer] for Switzerland, Alex Zverev won in Tokyo for Germany.
You saw the reactions of all of these guys when they win. It’s something special, honestly.
‘This is my fifth Olympic Games and three out of four Olympic Games I played semi-finals and never managed to overcome that hurdle for some reason.’
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