Paris: Tears flowed freely as Novak Djokovic sat in his chair, overwhelmed by the weight of his monumental achievement. The 37-year-old Serbian legend secured his place in the history as the oldest man to win an Olympic gold medal in tennis singles since Miloslav Mecir in 1988. His emotional moment came after a thrilling three-hour battle against Spain’s rising star Carlos Alcaraz.

 The match, held on the iconic clay courts of Roland Garros yesterday, was a testament to Djokovic’s enduring skill and tenacity. In a dramatic display of tennis prowess, he triumphed in straight sets, 7-6(3), 7-6(2), marking the culmination of years of relentless pursuit. As Djokovic clinched the final point, he erupted in celebration, but the real tears came when he sat down, hugging his parents as he processed the magnitude of his victory.

Surrounded by a chorus of cheers from fans and the supportive embrace of his team, Djokovic’s tears were a poignant reminder of his journey—one marked by relentless dedication and passion. The Olympic gold medal, a prize that had long eluded him, now completed his extraordinary collection of titles, which includes all four Grand Slams, all ATP Masters and the Davis Cup.

Djokovic is the fifth player to complete a career Golden Slam after Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams. He is also the first to win the men’s singles gold without dropping a set since 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.