Novak Djokovic is on the cusp of making history at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, defeating Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals to reach the gold medal match for the first time.
With this victory, Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, has surpassed his previous best Olympic outing, a singles bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games.
“I’ve played four Olympic games, and I’ve finally overcome the semifinal hurdle,” an elated Djokovic said after the match. “I’ve waited for this moment for almost 20 years, and I’m thrilled to have made it to the gold medal match for the first time.”
On Sunday, he will face familiar foe Carlos Alcaraz in the final showdown for gold.
Djokovic seeks revenge for his loss to Alcaraz in the 2023 Wimbledon final, with their ATP head-to-head meetings tied at 3-3. “I’ve achieved a lot of great things in this sport, but I’ve never made it to the finals of an Olympic games,” Djokovic said. “I’m super thrilled to have made it this far, and I hope I’ve brought joy to Serbian fans and people around the world.”
At 37, Djokovic is the oldest men’s singles finalist since tennis returned to the Olympics in Seoul in 1988, while Alcaraz, 20, is the youngest to achieve that feat.
In the bronze medal match on Saturday, World No. 16 Musetti will face Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who lost to Alcaraz in the semifinals.
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