Djokovic dreams of gold and fights with his body
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is just two wins away from his first Olympic gold. In the quarter-finals of the singles competition in Paris, the Grand Slam record holder defeated Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, he faced health issues again.
Record-breaking Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic can continue to dream of his first Olympic gold medal. The 37-year-old Serbian tennis pro defeated world number 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6:3, 7:6 (7:3) in his quarter-final and advanced to the semi-finals. In the second set, the gold favorite in Paris was down 2:5 and had to fend off several set points from Tsitsipas.
At 0:3, Djokovic called for medical help and had his right leg treated. In early June, the world number two underwent a minor procedure on his knee after an injury at the French Open. Djokovic even fell behind 0:4 before turning the match around.
Olympic gold is the one major triumph missing from Djokovic's collection of successes. Three years ago in Tokyo, he fell short against eventual champion Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. In Paris, a rematch would have taken place if Zverev had won his match against Italian Lorenzo Musetti. Now, Djokovic will face Musetti again on Friday, just like in the Wimbledon semi-finals. At the grass-court classic in London, Djokovic won the duel, but lost the final to Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz.
Meanwhile, another great tennis career is coming to an end on the big Olympic stage: A day after Angelique Kerber's exit, British player Andy Murray also bid farewell. The two-time Olympic singles champion, along with Dan Evans, lost to American duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul 2:6, 4:6 in the quarter-finals of the doubles competition. The 37-year-old Murray, who won two singles gold medals in 2012 and 2016, making him the only tennis player to achieve this feat twice, did not compete as a singles player in Paris. Shortly before the Summer Games, the Scot announced that Paris would be his last tournament.
Novak Djokovic has a chance to secure his first Olympic gold at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, should he win the remaining matches. If successful, he would add this significant title to his already impressive collection of achievements.
The intense competition at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris will see Djokovic facing Italian Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals, a rematch of their Wimbledon encounter.
