Novak Djokovic said he put “everything on the line” to become Olympic champion and defeat Carlos Alcaraz in an “incredible battle”.
The Serb is just the fifth player, male or female, to complete the career Golden Slam and became the oldest men’s singles gold medallist at 37, going the whole event without dropping a set.
The epic match lived up to its billing, twice going to nail-biting tie-breaks which were compelling viewing.
But Djokovic showed unbelievable grit to pull through 7-6(3) 7-6(2), and such was the quality of the contest that it was only when a final whipped forehand passed the Spaniard that Djokovic allowed himself to dream of gold.
“We almost played three hours in just two sets,” said an emotional Djokovic to Eurosport.
“An incredible battle and fight. When the last shot went past him, it was the only moment I thought I could win the match.
“I mean I believed I could win, but to actually win it… To win Olympic gold at 37, I finally did it. Most of all, it’s my country.
“The pride of playing for Serbia. I know Carlos and Rafa love to play for Spain, Andy [Murray] loves to play for Great Britain. Roger [Federer] for Switzerland. Alex Zverev won at Tokyo for Germany.
“You saw the reactions of all these guys when they win; it’s something special.”
For his moment, the 24-time Grand Slam winner let his racquet fall to the famous Roland-Garros clay and dropped to his knees in tears.
Three Olympic Games passed without the Serbian reaching a final and this was surely the 37-year-old’s last chance at upgrading his medal.
“When I entered the court for the semi-finals against Musetti I was thinking, ‘let’s get through this one’,” said Djokovic.
“That’s why at the beginning of this match I was not as nervous as I had secured a medal but, of course, I was going for gold.
“It was intense on the court and I wanted to give it my best. I think the fact I qualified for the final already helped.”
And though Djokovic rounded off the event with another straight-sets victory, he had to battle the Spanish prodigy every step of the way.
Djokovic said: “[Alcaraz] keeps on coming back, he keeps on asking me to play my best tennis. I thought the first set I started well. I had chances, he had chances as well.
“It was fair to finish both sets on a tie break. We both had our chances to break but when it mattered, we both came up with some big serves and plays.
“I put my heart, my soul, my body, my family, everything on the line.”
