Novak Djokovic breaks down in tears as he becomes latest member of elite club

Novak Djokovic failed to contain his emotions after completing tennis by beating Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles final at the Paris Olympics.

The Serbian won 7-6, 7-6 at Roland Garros to become just the fifth member of the ‘Career Golden Slam’ club.

Djokovic broke down in tears after beating Alcaraz in the Olympic final

Djokovic broke down in tears after beating Alcaraz in the Olympic finalCredit: AFP

An Olympic gold medal was all that was missing from the 37-year-old’s ever-growing trophy cabinet having won each of the Grand Slams.

And after beating his Spanish rival in a second successive tie-break, the 24-time Grand Slam broke down in tears.

Djokovic’s gold medal at the Games has come at his fifth time of asking having first competed at Beijing in 2008.

He picked up the bronze medal in China and lost in the bronze medal match at London 2012.

At Rio 2016, Djokovic lost in the opening round to Juan Martin del Potro.

And he then endured more Olympic heartbreak at Tokyo 2020 where he once again come up short in another bronze medal match.

But he has now finally tasted gold, where he has joined Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal in winning all four Grand Slams and the Olympic singles final.

Djokovic has also become just the second man after Agassi to complete the Career Super Slam, having also won the ATP Finals.

His victory over Alcaraz has also avenged the defeats he suffered the 21-year-old in both the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon finals.

Expressing his delight in his interview with Eurosport, Djokovic said: “I’m overwhelmed with everything I’m feeling right now. Feeling different emotions. Too proud. Too happy.

Djokovic has become the latest member of the ‘Career Golden Slam’ club

Djokovic has become the latest member of the ‘Career Golden Slam’ clubCredit: Getty

He has finally won the gold medal in his fifth Olympic Games

He has finally won the gold medal in his fifth Olympic GamesCredit: AFP

“Thrilled with the possibility to win a gold for the first time in my career for my country.

“Arguably the biggest success I had. I won probably everything there is to win in my individual career.

“Winning Davis Cup and particularly a golden medal at age 37 for Serbia is unprecedented.

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“I’m just starting my celebration. I can’t wait for what’s coming up in the next 48 hours.”

He added: “I’m telling myself always that I am enough. Because I can be very self critical. I don’t know.

“That’s one of the biggest internal battles I keep on fighting with myself. That I feel like I haven’t done enough or been enough in my life on and off the court.

“So it’s a big lesson for me. I’m super grateful for the blessing to win a historic gold medal for my country. To complete the golden slam. To complete all the records.”

As for Alcaraz, he was forced to stop his interview after breaking down in tears following the epic contest.

He walked away for a few moments to compose himself before resuming the interview.

On losing the final, Alcaraz remarked: “It’s painful to lose the way I lost this match. I had my chances to probably be up in the match. I couldn’t take it.

“Novak was playing great. He deserves this. In the tough moments he increased his

level. He played unbelievable shots.. an unbelievable game.

Novak Djokovic breaks down in tears as he becomes latest member of elite club

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