Novak Djokovic becomes oldest tennis player to win Olympic gold at age 37

For all his Grand Slam titles and time spent at No. 1, Novak Djokovic longed for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last significant accolade missing from his illustrious career. 

At age 37, he finally achieved this on Sunday, defeating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in a thrilling men’s tennis singles final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Djokovic, who has competed in every Summer Olympics since 2008, went viral on social media for his seemingly casual approach—both stylistically and attitude-wise—en route to his silver medal in the air pistol team event at the 2024 Games. 

"When I take everything into consideration, this probably is the biggest sporting success I ever had in my career," said Djokovic, who didn’t drop a set in Paris and is the oldest man to win the Summer Games tennis title since 1908. 

"This kind of supersedes everything that I imagined, that I hoped that I could experience, that I could feel."

With margins so thin that any mistake could tilt the match, Djokovic was at his best when the stakes were highest, dominating both tiebreakers against Alcaraz. 

"In the close moments, in the difficult situations, in the tiebreaks, he played an impressive game," said silver medalist Alcaraz. 

"That’s why I saw that he’s hungry for the gold medal. He was going to go for it."

Djokovic already owns a men’s-record 24 Grand Slam trophies and the most weeks at No. 1 by any man or woman. 

He also owned an Olympic bronze medal from 2008 but made it clear that gold was his priority. 

"I was ready," Djokovic said of his triumph over Paris bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti and other tough competitors like Rafael Nadal.

The final, lasting 2 hours and 50 minutes, featured stunning ball-striking, deft drop shots, and tremendous defensive play. 

Both players saved multiple break points, and the atmosphere was electric with fans chanting for both athletes. 

"The belief and the conviction that I can make it is stronger than my doubts," Djokovic said after his victory. 

"I knew that it’s going to happen. It was just a matter of when it’s going to happen."