Djokovic hails Olympic gold as his greatest sporting achievement

Novak Djokovic, 37, celebrated his victory over Carlos Alcaraz, 21, to secure the Olympic singles gold medal as the most significant accomplishment of his career on Sunday.

The Serbian player put an end to an eight-month trophy drought with an outstanding performance, winning 7-6(3), 7-6(2) and achieving his career Golden Slam in a memorable manner, not losing a set in six matches at Roland Garros.

He became the oldest man to win the Olympic singles title since tennis returned to the Games in 1988. Remarkably, he achieved this feat 21 days after being defeated by Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final and two months after undergoing knee surgery.

"I won the bronze in my first Olympic Games (2008) and ever since then failed to win the medal and played three out of four Olympic Games in semi-finals and couldn't overcome that obstacle," Djokovic, proudly wearing his medal, told reporters.

"And then now at age 37, with a 21-year-old that is probably the best player in the world right now, winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back and playing incredible tennis.

"When I take everything into consideration, this probably is the biggest sporting success I've ever had in my career.".

The 24-time Grand Slam champion demonstrated a level of tennis that has been absent this year in order to fend off Alcaraz.

After smashing a forehand winner to conclude a fierce, nearly three-hour battle, Djokovic's emotions overflowed as he wept on the court before heading into the stands to embrace his family, including wife Jelena and son Stefan, as well as his team.

"Until today, I believed that carrying the Serbian flag at the 2012 opening ceremony in London was the greatest feeling an athlete could have," he stated.

"This kind of surpasses everything that I envisioned, hoped to experience, and feel."

Djokovic did not dismiss the possibility of competing in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, but he stated that the realization that Paris was likely his final opportunity for gold had motivated him.

"I was prepared for this tournament and I didn't drop a set the entire time," he remarked. "I knew in the first two rounds, based on the way I was playing, that this was my chance. If it's ever going to happen, it's going to be now.

"When I qualified for the finals, I felt a huge relief because that's the obstacle I couldn't overcome. I celebrated as if I had won the tournament. But of course, I wanted gold and I knew that I would have to climb the highest mountain there is at the moment, playing Alcaraz."

Djokovic saved eight break points during a match of remarkable quality and intensity -- the Serb describing the contest as unlike few others he had ever encountered.

"I don't think I've ever played, maybe a few times in my life, at such a high level for three hours for only two sets," he said. "Credit to him, congratulations to him for a great tournament, great fighting spirit."