In a highly anticipated rematch of the last two Wimbledon finals, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will vie for the gold medal in the men’s singles tennis at the 2024 Olympics. The final, which will be held in Paris, comes after both players secured dominant semifinal victories on Friday.
Novak Djokovic, representing Serbia, defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti with a score of 6-4, 6-2, marking his first appearance in an Olympic final after previously falling short in three semifinals at the Summer Games. At 37, Djokovic becomes the oldest player to reach a men’s singles final in Olympic history. His opponent, 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz from Spain, cruised past Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 win.
This Olympic final at Roland-Garros is set to be a thrilling continuation of their rivalry, with Alcaraz having bested Djokovic in their last two Wimbledon encounters, including a victory just three weeks ago. Alcaraz, who also triumphed at the French Open earlier this year, boasts four Grand Slam titles. Djokovic, a veteran with 24 Grand Slam titles, is seeking to add an Olympic gold to his extensive list of achievements.
Despite recent knee surgery for a torn meniscus, Djokovic has shown resilience, overcoming challenges and maintaining top form. His semifinal win was marked by a strong performance, despite some early setbacks in the second set. The victory was celebrated with a moment of reflection on the court, highlighting the significance of this opportunity for Djokovic to win gold for Serbia.
Alcaraz, backed by a passionate crowd waving Spanish flags and cheering him on, displayed exceptional skill and control during his semifinal match. His dominant performance against Auger-Aliassime was highlighted by his impressive net play and minimal unforced errors.
In addition to the men’s singles final, the Paris 2024 Olympics features exciting matchups in other tennis categories. The women’s singles final will see China’s Zheng Qinwen facing Croatia’s Donna Vekic, while Poland’s Iga Swiatek secured the bronze by defeating Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. In men’s doubles, Australia’s Matt Ebden and John Peers will compete against Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram for the gold. The women’s doubles final will feature Italy’s Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini against Russian neutral athletes Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider.
The mixed doubles bronze medal went to Canada, with Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriela Dabrowski defeating the Netherlands’ Demi Schuurs and Wesley Koolhof.
The Paris 2024 Olympics continue to deliver thrilling tennis action, showcasing top talents from around the world.
