PARIS — Novak Djokovic has secured his first appearance in an Olympic tennis final, setting the stage for a chance to win the gold medal that has eluded him throughout his storied career. After defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-2 by winning the final four games of the match, Djokovic celebrated by falling to the clay with his arms outstretched—a gesture usually reserved for a championship victory.
“This is a big deal,” Djokovic remarked, acknowledging the significance of the moment.
With 24 Grand Slam titles and the record for most weeks at No. 1 in tennis history, Djokovic now aims to further cement his legacy by claiming the Olympic gold medal. He will face Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles final on Sunday. Alcaraz, who has been in superb form, defeated Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals.
At 37, Djokovic will be the oldest man to compete in an Olympic tennis final, while 21-year-old Alcaraz is the youngest. Despite the age difference, Djokovic recognizes Alcaraz as the favorite based on current form.
Djokovic’s previous best Olympic result was a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. Regardless of the outcome on Sunday, he will now guarantee himself at least a silver medal, a significant improvement for Serbia.
“Securing a higher medal for my country is a tremendous honor and joy,” Djokovic said. “That’s why I celebrated so intensely.”
Musetti, who had faced Djokovic at the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year, was not surprised by Djokovic’s emotional reaction. “I know how much it means for ‘Nole’ to win a gold medal, so I expected his reaction,” Musetti said.
The upcoming final will be a rematch of the last two Wimbledon finals, both won by Alcaraz, including their most recent encounter three weeks ago.
Djokovic, who had surgery on June 5 for a torn meniscus in his right knee, felt some sharp pain during his quarterfinal match but reported no issues against Musetti after extensive physiotherapy. “It didn’t bother me at all,” Djokovic said, relieved that the injury was not serious.
Throughout the match, Djokovic showed signs of frustration, dealing with various distractions and umpire decisions. Despite these challenges, his performance remained strong.
Djokovic has struggled in previous Olympic semifinals, having lost to Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Alexander Zverev in the past. This final appearance represents a chance to overcome that hurdle and achieve a long-sought Olympic goal.
Carlos Alcaraz, who is just a month younger than Vincent Richards was when he won gold in Paris in 1924, will pose a formidable challenge in the final.
