In a captivating interview with RTS, Novak Djokovic poured his heart out as he expressed how the long-awaited victory of the coveted gold medal at the Paris Olympics stands out as the pinnacle of his illustrious career on the tennis court.
Before basking in the sweet taste of victory, Djokovic faced bitter defeats in the semifinals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, where he was bested by the likes of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. The painful memory of a shocking defeat at the hands of his friend Juan Martin del Potro in Rio de Janeiro 2016, followed by a surprising comeback loss to Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 2020, only added to the agony. However, the stars aligned for Nole in Paris 2024, marking a triumphant chapter in his Olympic journey.
Reflecting on his monumental achievement, Djokovic shared, “The main reason is the fact that I had the opportunity to represent Serbia again in a world sporting event, the most important. The other reason is my Olympic career: I lost to Nadal in the semifinal in Beijing, then two more semifinals and the battles for third place. These were among the hardest defeats of my career. The Olympics are held only every four years. I arrived at this edition without having won even one title in the season, I had knee surgery, I am 37 years old and I managed to beat an opponent who had just defeated me in Wimbledon. All this makes it special. The greatest emotion of my career, it’s hard to describe in words.”
Throughout his career, Djokovic had often struggled to find his footing at the Olympics. Against all odds, at the ripe age of 37 and following surgery on his right knee, the resilient Serbian champion fulfilled his lifelong dream by delivering a legendary performance in the final and clinching the coveted gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“The Olympics were my main goal. I was very worried after the knee injury I suffered at Roland Garros, but when I managed to play the final at Wimbledon, I felt relieved because I knew I would be ready for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Tennis is not the classic Olympic sport compared to other disciplines. I have always followed the Olympics, especially our Serbian athletes, but I really started to feel their importance and weight after participating for the first time. I will remember this for the rest of my life,” mused the Serbian champion.
As Djokovic’s dazzling triumph continues to reverberate across the tennis world, his resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit stand as a testament to his enduring legacy in the realm of sports. The golden moment in Paris will forever be etched in the annals of tennis history, a shining beacon of triumph amid adversity.