Novak Djokovic Sends Carlos Alcaraz an Encouraging Message After Olympic Gold Medal Match

Aug 4, 2024; Paris, France; Novak Djokovic (SRB) greets Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) after winning the men’s singles gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Roland Garros.
Aug 4, 2024; Paris, France; Novak Djokovic (SRB) greets Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) after winning the men’s singles gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Roland Garros. / Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Novak Djokovic finally completed the golden slam on Sunday after he beat Carlos Alcaraz in two sets—7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2)—to win the Paris Olympics men's tennis gold medal.

Alcaraz, who is already a four-time major winner at age 21, was visibly heartbroken by settling for the silver medal for Team Spain. He vowed to bring a gold medal to his home country at some point.

The day after the match Djokovic took some time to send Alcaraz an encouraging message on social media. The 24-time major winner didn't want Alcaraz to feel defeated about the loss, but instead inspired.

"Another epic final, @carlosalcaraz. El clasico," Djokovic wrote. "Congratulations to you and your team for an excellent Olympics. Considering your age, your energy and the way you play, you probably have 20 more Olympics ahead of you. Your gold will come. Until next time, amigo."

This could easily be Djokovic's last Olympic appearance at age 37. It was only the second time he'd ever medaled at the Olympics, the only other time coming at the 2008 Beijing Games when he captured bronze.


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Madison Williams
MADISON WILLIAMS

Madison Williams is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where she specializes in tennis but covers a wide range of sports from a national perspective. Before joining SI in 2022, Williams worked at The Sporting News. Having graduated from Augustana College, she completed a master’s in sports media at Northwestern University. She is a dog mom and an avid reader.