The boys’s tennis closing on the 2024 Paris Olympics might be one for the historical past books. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic can full a Golden Slam with a win, however he must get by rising Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz, who’s making his Olympic debut.
Djokovic, 37, earned his ticket to the title match with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, who earned the bronze medal on Saturday. He’s formally the oldest participant in historical past to achieve an Olympic tennis closing within the singles occasion. In the meantime, Alcaraz beat Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, 6-1, 6-1, within the semifinals and is now the youngest man to make it this far for the reason that 1988 Seoul Video games.
Djokovic and Alcaraz are seeded No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, and it’s arduous to foretell the result as they’re at the moment tied at three of their all-time workforce collection. Neither participant has dropped a set on this competitors.
The Serbian star has received a file 24-time Grand Slam titles, however he has but to win a gold medal on the Olympics. Gold would imply he can be a part of the distinguished Golden Slam Membership, which incorporates Steffi Graf (1988), Andrew Agassi (1999), Rafael Nadal (2010) and Serena Williams (2012). His solely medal was bronze in 2008, however Djokovic is happy to be assured a greater one on Sunday regardless of the consequence.
“This dream is lengthy lived and fought for. I needed to compete within the finals of Olympic video games for such a very long time,” Djokovic said. “Representing my nation at a worldwide occasion is a large privilege and honor that I cherish. Serbia may have a medal on Sunday!!!”
Alcaraz additionally expressed his pleasure about making the rostrum.
“MEDAL! This implies every little thing to me, however there’s nonetheless Sunday!” he wrote on social media in Spanish.
Their most up-to-date assembly was final month through the Wimbledon title match, when Alcaraz took a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) victory. That consequence helped the 21-year-old change into the youngest man to win a Grand Slam title on grass, clay and arduous courts. Regardless of shedding, making the championship match was a formidable achievement for Djokovic as he had undergone an operation to restore a torn meniscus just a few weeks earlier than the event began.
They’ve confronted one another as soon as at Roland Garros — the place Olympic tennis is going down — through the 2023 French Open semifinals. Alcaraz made it a four-set battle, however Djokovic finally received it, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.
The battle between Djokovic and Alcaraz is ready for Sunday at 8 a.m. ET.
