A golden crown? Djokovic challenges Alcaraz – tennis magazine

Djokovic One more victory is still needed to give a golden touch to his unique tennis career. But even before the final against him Carlos Alcaraz On Sunday in Paris, the Serbian Grand Slam champion felt “relieved”. This was the fourth time he had reached the Olympic semi-final and the first time he had overcome this obstacle. “Whatever happens on Sunday, there’s so much pride, honor, happiness,” Djokovic said.

The Serb won bronze in Beijing in 2008, and bronze in London in 2012 and Tokyo in 2021. “I thought about the semi-finals I lost at the Olympics, that’s why I was so tight on the court,” said the 37-year-old after the 6:4, 6:2 win over the Italians. Lorenzo Musettithe former Tokyo Olympic champion Alexander Zverev was destroyed.

But Djokovic wouldn’t be a relentless record chaser if he were happy with money. He is eager for revenge for the recent defeat and has contacted Alcaraz. “He beat me at Wimbledon, but the conditions are different and I know I’m a better player than I was at Wimbledon,” said Djokovic. Three weeks ago he lost easily in three sets on grass. at the All England Club.

Nevertheless, Djokovic happily accepts the role of an outsider. Alcaraz (21) is currently a player; before Wimbledon he also won at the French Open. Instead, he wants to become Spain’s second Olympic tennis player Rafael Nadal (2008). “The final will be a special moment in my life and career,” said Alcaraz.

This also applies to Djokovic, who still misses gold as the only prize in his impressive collection. With an Olympic victory, he would become just the second player after Andre Agassi to achieve all major individual successes: number one in the world rankings, victories in all four Grand Slam tournaments, victories in rounds ATP final, gold at the Olympics. Neither could his eternal rivals: Roger Federer Having only won Olympic gold in doubles, Nadal has never won the ATP finals.