An emotional Novak Djokovic produced a stunning display to defeat rival Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) in the match of the year to win his first Olympic gold medal and complete a career Golden Slam.
Djokovic’s impressive career already featured a men’s-record 24 Grand Slam titles and the most weeks spent at No 1 in the rankings by any man or woman.
It also already contained a Summer Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was a bronze – and he has lost to the eventual gold winner each time – Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012 and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.
He lost in straight sets to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final only three weeks ago and had not won a title all season but, playing in the red of Serbia, the 37-year-old produced a superb performance to win in straight sets.
When his final forehand found the corner, Djokovic dropped his racket and turned to his family in delight and disbelief before lying on the court, his ultimate goal finally realised.
He joins Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf as just the fifth player to complete the career Golden Slam of all four Grand Slam titles and Olympic singles gold.
Both players went toe-to-toe in a ferocious contest in which the first set alone lasted one hour, 33 minutes as they wrestled for control in a series of spellbinding games.
Alcaraz cracked first in the tie-break and when another tie-break was required to decide the second set, again Djokovic found another gear, sealing victory with a stunning forehand winner down the line.
Djokovic roared to the sky and, after shaking hands with Alcaraz, he fell to his knees on the centre of the court before climbing into the crowd to be swamped by his family and team.
Alcaraz, 21, who was denied the Olympic title to go with this year’s French Open and Wimbledon crowns, was in tears at the end.
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