By Richard Paglaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, August 4, 2024
Picture credit score: Jean Catuffe/Getty
Champions be taught from loss.
Novak Djokovic delivered a lesson in poise beneath strain in his 7-6, 7-6 victory over second-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in at the moment’s Paris Olympic gold-medal match then gave the reigning Roland Garros champion an encouraging endorsement.
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In his fifth Olympic Video games, the 37-year-old Serbian celebrity made historical past because the oldest participant to win the Olympic singles gold medal since tennis returned to the Video games on the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
At web, Djokovic informed Alcaraz his gold-medal second is coming.
“He informed me that I’ll win Olympic gold in the future,” Alcaraz informed the media in his post-match press convention. “And we’re going to work for it. I am certain my time will come.”
Djokovic is the fifth champion to finish the profession Golden Grand Slam becoming a member of Steffi Graf, the one participant to comb the calendar Golden Grand Slam in 1988, her husband, Andre Agassi (1999), Rafael Nadal (2010) and Serena Williams (2012).
Two-time Wimbledon winner Alcaraz, who did not convert any of his eight break-point possibilities, stated he is dedicated to bringing dwelling an Olympic gold medal for Spain sometime.
“Truthfully I at all times wish to win that’s for certain,” Alcaraz stated. “Clearly, taking a silver medal I’ve to be actually, actually proud. I’m constructing an amazing profession, I suppose, I hope it’s gonna hold going.
“Clearly, I’m actually proud to be on this place. I’m actually proud to carry a medal to Spain,” Alcaraz informed NBC’s Britney Eurton. “I’m fairly certain my second will come. I’ll carry the gold to Spain in the future.
“I’m gonna await that second, I’m gonna work for that second. Now I’ve to get pleasure from lifting the silver is fairly wonderful as nicely.”