Novak Djokovic reveals the ‘heaviest defeats’ of his career and explains why gold medal is ‘greatest success’

Novak Djokovic has detailed why he considers winning the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris to be his “greatest success.”

The Serbian legend also divulged that his losses at the Olympics are “the heaviest defeats” of his career as he labelled the Games “precious.”

Djokovic delivered a stunning display to see off Carlos Alcaraz 7-6,(3), 7-6(2) in the final at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August to secure his first gold medal.

The 37-year-old was competing at his fifth Games and had claimed his only previous medal, a bronze, on his Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008.

Djokovic suffered three heartbreaking semi-final losses at the Olympics: to Rafael Nadal in 2008; Andy Murray at the London 2012 Games; and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo in 2021.

The Serb also fell in the opening round at the 2016 Rio Olympics to Juan Martin del Potro, while he was beaten in bronze medal matches in 2012 and 2021.

Speaking to RTS Serbia, Djokovic outlined what makes the Olympics such a special event to him as he reflected on his victory.

There are several reasons why Olympic gold is the greatest success,” Djokovic said. “The biggest one is that I represented Serbia at the first major global world event. It’s a rare opportunity to win a medal for your country.

 

“I won bronze at the first Olympics. Against Nadal, I was close to reaching the final. After that I lost two semi-finals and two bronze medals. Those are the heaviest defeats in my career.

“In tennis, we are really lucky to be able to participate in the four biggest tournaments, the Grand Slams. We can prove ourselves every year. The Olympics are precious.

“Just because I managed not to reach the finals in the first four Olympics. I had knee surgery, I managed to rise and reach the finals of Wimbledon, where I was defeated by the opponent I defeated in the finals of the Olympic Games, and that on the court that [is] very famous.

“That’s why I fell to the ground when I won the semi-final. I knew I wasn’t going to stop there. The very fact that my closest people, my children, my team, members of the Serbian Olympic team were in the stands.

“I can’t experience that in any other tournament. Having colleagues from other sports coming to support me gave me an extra boost.

“The most beautiful set of emotions was that, the day I beat Carlos Alcaraz in the final, when I fell to my knees. I’ve been blessed, I’ve experienced a lot of success, and this is the biggest.”