2024 Paris Olympics: Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz rekindle rivalry for gold medal at Roland Garros

The men’s tennis final at the 2024 Paris Olympics will go down in history. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic can complete the Golden Slam with a win, but he will have to overcome rising Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz, who is making his Olympic debut.

Djokovic, 37, punched his ticket to the title match with a 6-4, 6-2 win over bronze medallist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy on Saturday. He is officially the oldest player in history to reach an Olympic tennis final in the singles event. Meanwhile, Alcaraz defeated Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals and is now the youngest player to reach the milestone since the 1988 Seoul Games.

Djokovic and Alcaraz are seeded No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, and the result is hard to predict as they are currently tied at three in their all-time team series. Neither player has lost a set in this contest.

The Serbian star has won a record 24 Grand Slam titles but has yet to win gold at the Olympics. Gold means he can join the prestigious Golden Slam club, which includes Steffi Graf (1988), Andrew Agassi (1999), Rafael Nadal (2010) and Serena Williams (2012). His only medal was bronze in 2008, but Djokovic is excited to be guaranteed a better medal on Sunday, whatever the result.

“This dream has been lived and fought for for a long time. I have wanted to participate in the Olympic Games final for so long,” Djokovic said. “It is a huge honour and privilege for me to represent my country at a global event. Serbia will get a medal on Sunday!!!”

Alcaraz also expressed his happiness at reaching the podium.

“The medal! It’s everything to me, but it’s Sunday!” he wrote in Spanish on social media.

Their most recent meeting was during the Wimbledon title match last month, when Alcaraz won 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4). That result helped the 21-year-old become the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on grass, clay and hard courts. Despite the loss, making it to the championship match was an impressive achievement for Djokovic as he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus just weeks before the tournament began.

They have faced off once at Roland Garros – where Olympic tennis is taking place – during the 2023 French Open semi-finals. Alcaraz made it a four-set battle, but Djokovic eventually won it 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

The match between Djokovic and Alcaraz will take place on Sunday at 8 am ET.