Defeating Alcaraz, Djokovic fulfilled his wish of winning an Olympic gold medal, worthy of being the greatest in history.

Defeating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2), Novak Djokovic won the 2024 Olympic gold medal. This is also the only title he is missing in his illustrious career.

Before Sunday, Novak Djokovic had accomplished virtually everything else there was to do in tennis except win an Olympic gold medal.

Now the 37-year-old Serb has added that to his résumé as the GOAT of men’s tennis.

In a thrilling match of incredibly high-quality tennis, No. 1 Djokovic defeated No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in 2 hours, 50 minutes in the gold-medal match at Roland Garros. It was the Serb’s first title in 2024. He was coming off meniscus surgery two months ago and was facing a man who had already won the French Open and Wimbledon this summer.

“He was already a mythological creature in Serbia and this only adds gold to his resume,” Mary Carillo said on Peacock.

“There is no doubt this man has stamped himself as the greatest player we’ve ever seen play this sport,” Rennae Stubbs added.

Djokovic, the all-time men’s leader with 24 Grand Slam singles titles, joined an elite club of people who have won all four majors and Olympic gold: Steffi Graf (1988), Andre Agassi (1999), Rafael Nadal (2010) and Serena Williams (2012).

Djokovic’s one previous medal was a bronze in 2008 at Beijing after losing to Nadal in the semifinals; Djokovic also was beaten in the semifinals by the eventual champions at London in 2012 (Andy Murray) and at Tokyo three years ago.

“I played four Olympic games, this is my fifth and I never passed semifinals,” Djokovic said after his semifinal win over Lorenzo Musetti. “I lost three out of four semifinals in my first four Olympic games and I managed to overcome this big hurdle.”

Neither man converted a break-chance opportunity in the match.

In a game that took more than 14 minutes and featured several break chances by Alcaraz, Djokovic held for 5-4 in the first.

Serving at 5-6, Alcaraz fended off a set point to force a tiebreak.

With Alcaraz serving at 3-6 in the breaker, he smashed a potential forehand pass winner but Djokovic lunged to stab it back over the net and seize the first set.

The Serb saved eight break points to win the first set in 1 hour, 32 minutes. When Djokovic left the court for a break, Alcaraz had his head in his hands and had a lengthy conversation with his player box.

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz returns to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during their men’s singles final tennis … [+]

AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
In the second set tiebreak, Djokovic earned an early mini-break for 1-0 and then went up 3-2 with a stretching forehand winner that Alcaraz could not return.

Alcaraz netted a forehand to give Djokovic a 5-2 lead in the breaker. He then hit a two-handed backhand into the net to bring it to 2-6 on his serve.

On his first match point, Djokovic drilled a forehand winner down the line and then hugged Alcaraz at the net.

Djokovic and Alcaraz had split their six previous career matches, with the Spaniard dominating their most recent match in straight sets in the Wimbledon final last month. They were 1-1 on clay, with Djokovic winning their most recent encounter in the 2023 Roland Garros semifinals when Alcaraz cramped badly and limped to the finish line.

Alcaraz was seeking to become just the second man after his countryman and Olympic doubles partner Rafael Nadal to win the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympic gold in the same year. He had won 12 consecutive matches at Roland Garros dating to the French Open.

“It’s going to be difficult for sure but I will try to be focused on myself,” Alcaraz said ahead of the match. I try not to hear all the fans, or all the people that say I’m going to win. I’m just going to give my 100%, my best tennis and hopefully I reach my goal to get the gold.”

During his quarterfinal win over Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic twice called the physio for his right knee, the same knee on which he had surgery in early June after withdrawing from Roland Garros. He said he was “very worried” about his knee but he rebounded to take out Musetti in straight sets in the semifinals.

And then he defeated Alcaraz to win the elusive gold medal.