An Olympic gold had long eluded Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion

Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia celebrates victory in his player's box during the Men's Singles Gold medal match against Carlos Alcaraz of Team Spain

Novak Djokovic with his family in the player’s box at Roland Garros. Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Novak Djokovic is officially an Olympic gold medalist.

The champion tennis player, 37, won his first gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games on Aug. 4, defeating Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles final at Roland Garros.

Djokovic previously won bronze during the 2008 Summer Games, but failed to medal in London, Rio or Tokyo. His gold is the first for Serbia in men’s singles tennis.

Immediately after his 7-6(3), 7-6(2) defeat of Alcaraz, 21, an emotional Djokovic dropped to his knees on Roland Garros’ clay court. He then made his way to the player’s box while carrying the Serbian flag.

Once there, he sobbed as he embraced his wife Jelena Djokovic and their two children: son Stefan Djokovic and daughter Tara Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia celebrates victory in his players box during the Men's Singles Gold medal match against Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic celebrates with his family after winning gold at the 2024 Olympics. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Alcaraz was the youngest tennis men’s singles finalist since 1988, while Djokovic was the oldest. For this match, he was coming in just under nine weeks after undergoing meniscus surgery on his leg.

The gold medal was truly the one remaining tennis win that had long evaded Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion. It also comes after Alcaraz beat him in a five-set thriller at Wimbledon last month.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with his family in the stands his victory of the Final and gold medal win

Novak Djokovic embraces his daughter after winning the gold medal. Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Speaking to Eurosport after the match, the athlete said, “I don’t know what to say, I’m still in shock. I put my heart, my soul, my body, my family, my everything on the line to win Olympic gold,” according to The Athletic.

He added, “At age 37, I finally did it.”

Djokovic has, of course, won at Roland Garros before. The Paris tennis venue is the site of the annual French Open. Djokovic was the men’s singles champion there in 2016, 2021 and 2023.

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