Novak Djokovic delivers retirement update after winning gold at Paris Olympics at expense of Carlos Alcaraz
REUTERS
The Serb's wait for gold is now over after his victory on Sunday
Novak Djokovic has insisted he's not ready to retire from tennis any time soon after beating Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.
The Serb has won every Grand Slam going and, with 24 majors to his name, has more than any other male player in the sport's entire history.
Djokovic had gone into his clash with Alcaraz hoping for the first Olympic gold of his career, however.
Having won bronze in Beijing back in 2008, the 37-year-old was eager to finally go two places higher and complete the Golden Slam.
Novak Djokovic has made it clear he has no plans to retire for at least four more years after winning gold at the Paris Olympics
REUTERS
Djokovic was thumped by Alcaraz in the final of Wimbledon just three weeks ago.
Yet he was too strong for his opponent on Sunday, winning 7-6, 7-6 to finally get the medal he's chased for many years.
At the age of 37, Djokovic's days in the sport are numbered. With Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner winning Grand Slams in 2024, there's a sense that his powers are starting to wane.
However, the veteran has insisted he's got his sights set on the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 - with the tennis titan eager to keep going.
“I still want to play in Los Angeles," he admitted.
"I enjoy playing for my country and the Olympic Games particularly and Davis Cup, being part of the team."
Djokovic feels Alcaraz is currently the best player in the world - something that makes his victory even sweeter.
“Now at the age of 37 and facing a 21-year-old who is probably the best player in the world right now, winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back, I can say that this is probably the biggest sporting success I have ever had," he continued.
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While Djokovic was elated, Alcaraz was reduced to tears following his defeat.
The 21-year-old had gone into the match as the favourite, especially given his win over Djokovic at Wimbledon last month.
Before that triumph he'd also won the French Open at Roland Garros, emulating Rafael Nadal in the process.
Alcaraz was asked about his tearful reaction after crashing to defeat.
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Novak Djokovic is proud to have won gold at the Paris Olympics
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And the Spain star admitted the pressure had got to him, with the youngster rueing his inability to 'play his best tennis'.
“It’s a little bit different. I mean, I was playing for the gold medal, I was playing for Spain and it is not the same," he said.
"I have played four Grand Slam finals and in the difficult moments, in the tough situations, I increased my level, I played really great tennis.
“And today probably I felt more the pressure. Maybe other players are not playing in the same way or feeling the pressure about playing for his flag, for his country.
Novak Djokovic upset the odds to beat Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics on Sunday
REUTERS
"Probably myself, I felt the pressure in those situations that I couldn’t play my best tennis so I could feel the difference about playing Grand Slams and playing the final of Olympic Games.”
He added: “I play four Grand Slams every year and Olympic Games is one every four years so probably you could feel the pressure playing. As I said, I could feel [it].”