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
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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 21-year-old who had already won the French Open and Wimbledon this summer.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Djokovic told Britney Eurton of Peacock. “I’m overwhelmed with everything that I’m feeling right now. Millions of different emotions, of course, positive. too proud, too happy, thrilled with the possibility to fight for a gold and to win a gold for the first time in my career for my country.

“Arguably the biggest success I ever had. Of course, I won everything there is to win probably in my individual career, but winning Davis Cup and particularly golden medal at Olympic games at age 37 is unprecedented.

“I’m just starting my celebration, I can’t wait to what’s coming up in the next 48 hours.”

Asked if it was enough to complete his tennis puzzle, Djokovic said, “Yes, it is, it is. I’m telling myself always that I’m enough because I can be very self-critical and I don’t know. That’s probably one of the biggest internal battles that I keep on fighting with myself that I don’t feel like I’ve done enough, that I haven’t been enough on the court and off the court, so it’s a big lesson for me. I’m super grateful for the blessing to win a historic gold medal for my country to complete the golden Slam, to complete all the records.”

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.

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.

“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.

Neither man converted a break-chance opportunity in the match. Alcaraz was 0-for-8 on break points.

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.

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, fell to the court 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 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 is painful,” Alcaraz told Eurton. “It is painful to lose the way that I lost this match. I had my opportunities. Novak is playing great, he deserved it.

“In the toughest and most physical moments, he increased his level. I’m a little bit disappointed but I’m going to leave the court with the head a little bit high. Fighting for Spain was everything to me, I’m proud the way that I played today.

“Taking the silver medal, I have to be really proud. I’m really proud to be in this position. I’m really proud to bring a medal to Spain I’m pretty sure my moment will come. I will bring a gold medal to Spain one day. I’m going to wait for that moment. I’m going to work for that moment.”