Posted by Richard Paglaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, August 4, 2024
Photo credit: Jean Catuffe/Getty
Champions learn from losses.
Novak Djokovic gave a lesson in composure under pressure in his 7-6, 7-6 win over the second-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz at today's Paris Olympic gold medal match and gave reigning champion Roland Garros an encouraging endorsement.
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In his fifth Olympics, the 37-year-old Serbian made history as the oldest player to win an Olympic singles gold medal since tennis returned to the Games at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
At the net, Djokovic told Alcaraz that his golden moment was coming.
“He told me that I would win gold in the Olympics one day,” Alcaraz told reporters at a press conference after the match. “And we will work for it. I am sure that my time will come.”
Djokovic is the fifth champion to complete a career Golden Grand Slam, joining Steffi Graf, the only player to sweep the Golden Grand Slam calendar in 1988, her husband, Andre Agassi (1999), Rafael Nadal (2010) and Serena Williams (2012).
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Two-time Wimbledon winner Alcaraz, who failed to convert any of her eight break chances, said she was committed to bringing Spain an Olympic gold medal one day.
“Honestly, I always want to win, that's true,” Alcaraz said. “Obviously, I must be really proud to take the silver medal. I'm building a good career, I think, I hope it will continue.
“Obviously, I am very proud to be in this position. I am very proud to bring the medal to Spain,” said Alcaraz NBC's Britney Eurton. “I am sure that my time will come. I will bring the gold to Spain one day.
“I will wait for that time, I will work on that time. Now I have to be happy to lift the silver and it is very amazing.”
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