Featured Columnist IVAugust 4, 2024
Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Novak Djokovic won his first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, topping the men’s singles tournament on Sunday after defeating Carlos Alcaraz, 7-6, 7-6.
It may not be his last one, however.
The tennis superstar told reporters on Sunday that he’s eying the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles as he continues to build out his potential G.O.A.T. résumé:
SportsCenter @SportsCenter
Novak Djokovic has done it all but is still wanting more 🐐 pic.twitter.com/66ERmJa2kS
Coming into Sunday, Djokovic had claimed just about every possible major achievement in the sport of tennis, outside of that gold medal.
He is the all-time leader in men’s Grand Slam titles, with 24, surpassing his contemporary rivals Rafael Nadal (22) and Roger Federer (20). At 37, it’s hard to know how much Djokovic has left in the tank, but it wouldn’t be shocking if he added another Grand Slam or two to his record tally.
Matthew McConaughey @McConaughey
GOAT wins GOLD. congratulations @DjokerNole
The major argument in the G.O.A.T. case for both Nadal (one gold in singles, one gold in doubles) and Federer (one gold in doubles) was that Djokovic previously only had an Olympic bronze medal to his name (2008). He finished fourth at both the 2012 and 2020 Olympics, while he was eliminated in the first round at the 2016 Rio Games.
But the one piece of hardware missing from his trophy case has been claimed, and Sunday’s triumph clearly meant everything to Djokovic.
NBC Olympics & Paralympics @NBCOlympics
A lifelong dream realized. 🥹
Novak Djokovic is overcome by emotion after winning his first Olympic gold medal. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/g7GI6cxmYa
“I’m just over the moon,” he told reporters. “Honestly, everything that I felt in that moment when I won really surpassed everything I thought or hoped that it [was] going to be. I thought carrying the flag at the [2012 Olympic] Opening Ceremony was the best feeling ever until I experienced today. Being on that court with [the] Serbian flag raising and singing [the] Serbian anthem and wearing the gold [medal] around my neck, I think nothing can beat that in terms of professional sport.”
Djokovic’s injury issues this season alone suggest that any attempt to play in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, at the age of 41, will be easier said than done. But he’s exceeded every other expectation to this point in his career, so why not this one, too?
