This second will imply as a lot to Djokovic, if no more, than all of the Grand Slams, Masters 1,000 titles and ATP tournaments he has received.
His household watched on from the stands, bearing Serbian flags, with daughter Tara carrying an indication that mentioned “Dad is the perfect”.
Djokovic has spoken about seeing the Olympics as the head of sport, and the feelings of representing his nation have affected him in his previous 4 Video games.
He received singles bronze in Beijing in 2008, completed fourth at London 2012, suffered an emotional early loss in Rio in 2016 and misplaced the bronze-medal match in Tokyo three years in the past.
Nonetheless, Djokovic didn’t drop a set in Paris and was centered from the outset, decided to get his fingers on the one prize that had eluded him for therefore lengthy.
The ultimate match itself was a take a look at of his willpower – he was on the again foot within the first set however didn’t give in, saving all eight break factors he confronted and taking benefit as Alcaraz faltered in each tie-breaks.
It was performed in an excellent spirit, with each gamers usually left laughing on the high quality of the opposite’s shot-making.
The gang was equally cut up between Spanish followers, decked in flags, and Serbia supporters carrying indicators with “Nole” – Djokovic’s nickname – written on.
An electrical ambiance added to the strain – Alcaraz seemed the extra nervous and needed to save a break level in his opening recreation, however he pushed Djokovic to the restrict together with his mixture of contact and energy.
Nonetheless, Djokovic merely wouldn’t give in. He performed a few of his finest tennis when down break level and, after taking the primary set, was filled with confidence.
There was the occasional gesture in direction of his help field – who responded by telling him to maintain his head up and keep constructive – however on the entire, Djokovic was as dialled in as he has been all 12 months.
It has been a troublesome season for Djokovic. He misplaced within the Australian Open semi-finals to Italy’s Jannik Sinner, had an detached onerous court docket swing, wanted knee surgical procedure after injuring himself at Roland Garros and was fully outplayed in his solely ultimate of the season this far at Wimbledon.
Nonetheless, that can solely make this victory that a lot sweeter for a person who exhibits no signal of stopping.
