Novak Djokovic takes Paris Olympics tennis gold at last as he beats Carlos Alcaraz

The Serb wins 7-6, 7-6 to claim title and secure rare career Golden Slam

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  Gold medal winner Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's Singles of the Tennis competitions in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, at the Roland Garros in Paris, France, 04 August 2024. EPA / JUANJO MARTIN

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  Silver medal winner Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, gold medal winner Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, and bronze medal winner Lorenzo Musetti of Italy. EPA

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  Gold medal winner Novak Djokovic of Serbia. EPA

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  Silver medallist Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, with gold medal winner Novak Djokovic and bronze medallist Lorenzo Musetti. EPA

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  Novak Djokovic celebrates with a Serbian flag after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz. AFP

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  Spain's Carlos Alcaraz after his defeat against Serbia's Novak Djokovi. AFP

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  Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with his family after winning against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain. EPA

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  Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning match point. Getty Images

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  Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates with his family after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz. AFP

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Novak Djokovic broke down in tears after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to clinch his first Olympic tennis gold medal at Roland Garros on Sunday.

The 37-year-old Serb, winner of a record 24 Grand Slam titles, triumphed 7-6, 7-6 in a thrilling men's singles final on Court Philippe Chatrier.

It meant he had secured the one major honour that had so far eluded him - his previous best performance at a Games was a bronze medal at Beijing in 2008.

The victory meant he became just the fifth player, alongside Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, to collect the Golden Slam of all for majors and an Olympic title.

After the match, Djokovic threw down his racket before falling to his knees and bursting into tears. After hugging Alcaraz, he climbed into the stands to celebrate with his family before wrapping himself in the Serbian flag.

"This is probably the biggest sporting success I have ever had and the most special feeling," said Djokovic, who had lost heavily to Alcaraz at Wimbledon last month.

"I thought carrying the flag at the opening ceremony for my country at the 2012 Olympics was the best feeling an athlete could have until today.

"Now at the age of 37 and facing a 21-year-old who is probably the best player in the world right now, winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back, I can say that this is probably the biggest sporting success I have ever had.

"We almost played three hours, the final shot was the only moment when I was sure I could win the match. It was an incredible fight and I had to play my best tennis. I put my body, my family on the line to win gold and finally I did it."

Now he wants to keep playing and has not ruled out trying to win back-to-back golds at Los Angeles in four years' time.

"I want to play in Los Angeles, I enjoy playing for my country in the Olympic Games, in the Davis Cup," he said.

Alcaraz was distraught and wept as he attempted to conduct a TV interview.

"I got emotional because I couldn't make the Spanish people proud. That's (why) I got emotional, "said Nadal after a final in which neither player dropped serve. "It's very painful to lose. Three hours, a big battle with tough moments."

Djokovic carved out a break point in the second game of the opener and three more in the fourth, all saved by the Spaniard.

Then it was the Serb's turn to demonstrate his famed powers of resilience, fighting off three break points in the fifth game and another five in a marathon ninth game.

In a rollercoaster duel, Alcaraz saved a set point in the 12th game but his veteran opponent dominated the tiebreak to claim the opener after a breathless 93 minutes.

There was no let-up in the second set, scintillating shot-making alongside rousing defence with Alcaraz fighting off the final's 14th break point in the third game.

Again the set was decided by a tie-break and it was Djokovic with history on the line again sweeping through to take victory after two hours and 50 minutes.

Lorenzo Musetti defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in three sets on Saturday to claim the bronze medal, giving Italy its first men's tennis medal in 100 years.