PARIS– Hours after he knelt in the red clay, after his body shook as he cried, after he finally managed to kiss a Olympic gold medal won by Serbia, Novak Djokovic was asked if he can consider his tennis career complete.
He already had 24 Grand Slam trophies, after all, putting him ahead of rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – and every other man who has ever played the game. He already had a record of over 400 weeks ranked #1. And now, at 37, he has won the gold he so desperately wanted, something that Nadal (in singles in 2008 and doubles in 2016) and Federer (in doubles in 2008) had but Djokovic only did on Sunday 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) victory over Carlos Alcaraz.
“Yes and no,” was how Djokovic’s response began. “Yes, it is complete, as I have completed all the achievements with this gold medal. But no, because I love this sport. I don’t just play to win the tournament – I play because I love competition. I love the desire, every day, every week, to train my body, improve my game, prove my worth, even at this age.”
It is certainly a mistake to see every step Djokovic takes, every prize he wins, as a statement in the ongoing and unnecessary conversation about which member of the The big three of men’s tennis is the best of the group. Still, these debates continue.
Who can say what’s next for Djokovic – either Nadal or Alcaraz or women’s singles gold medalist Zheng Qinwen of China or #1 Iga Swiatek, by the way. With the US Open starting in three weeks and the need to move from the clay of Roland Garros to the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, there isn’t much time for rest or reflection.
“I don’t know about the future, to be honest. I really want… a moment to celebrate,” Djokovic said. “It was a long journey.”
At just 21 years old, the same age as Alcaraz, Zheng became the first player from China to win singles gold in Olympic tennis.
Her run to the Australian Open final in January marked her as one to watch. She also climbed into the top 10. This will make her a huge star back home, and if she continues on this trajectory, there should be more to come.
Swiatek is just 23 years old. US Open Champion Coco Gauff is 20 years old. Add Zheng to the youth movement.
Her jabs were always there, and now her mind is too, she says. Zheng showed patience and resilience in ending Swiatek’s 25-match winning streak at Roland Garros, eliminating her in the semi-finals.
After defeating Donna Vekic last Saturday, Zheng said she thinks she will play more relaxed now that she is an Olympic champion. If so, stay tuned.
“I still have a long way to go,” she said, “because winning a Grand Slam is always my dream.”
Nadal is 38 years old and lost to Djokovic in the second round singles after being eliminated in the first round of this year’s French Open, where he won 14 of his 22 major titles. Nadal and Alcaraz generated a lot of buzz as a young and old doubles team before losing in the quarterfinals.
After that defeat, Nadal was asked about playing in New York – he was on the entry list released last month – and paused before answering.
“It seems not. But I will let you know soon,” Nadal said. “For me, right now, I can’t give you a clear answer. I need some time, but it seems difficult for me.”
Gauff’s trip to the US Open will mark the one-year anniversary of a huge occasion: she won her first Grand Slam title there in 2023.
It will be her first defense in a major championship, although she insists she doesn’t see it as a “defense,” just an opportunity.
Gauff often talks about learning lessons from losses. It should have been fascinating to see her at Flushing Meadows after her Olympics experience, which included joining LeBron James as the U.S. flag bearer at the opening ceremony along the River Seine, an impromptu breakfast with Noah Lyles just days before he won the 100-meter dash on the track – and early exits in singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
“I’m going to try to take the positives out of this,” Gauff said, “and do better next time.”
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