Djokovic fights off Alcaraz to finally strike gold

PARIS: Novak Djokovic completed his career Golden Slam as the 37-year-old Serb fought off Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in a magnificent Olympic men's singles final battle at Roland Garros on Sunday (Aug 4).

After heartbreak in Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, Djokovic simply would not be denied the one title that had eluded him for so long, winning 7-6(3) 7-6(2) in front of an enthralled crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Top seed Djokovic delivered one of the finest performances of his career to deny a man 16 years his junior and become only the fifth player to win all four singles Grand Slams and the Olympic title during a career.

"It was an incredible fight and I had to play my best tennis," an emotional Djokovic said on court before the medals ceremony as flag-waving Serbian fans celebrated in the stands.

"I put my heart, my soul, everything to win gold. I did it for my country first, for Serbia".

With points being celebrated by soccer-style chanting that shattered the calm of the adjacent Bois de Boulogne, neither player took a backward step in a ferocious contest.

The first set alone lasted one hour 33 minutes as the two gladiators wrestled for control in a series of spellbinding games, one at 4-4 in which Djokovic repelled five break points.

Alcaraz blinked first in the tiebreak to allow Djokovic to move ahead and when another tiebreak was required to decide the second set, again Djokovic found another gear, moving 6-2 in front and sealing victory with a stunning forehand winner.

Djokovic roared to the sky and after consoling a stunned Alcaraz at the net he then fell to his knees and sobbed into the Parisian clay in the centre of the court before climbing into the crowd where he was swamped by his family, friends and