Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach, has declared Novak Djokovic the "best tennis player in history" after the Serbian clinched gold at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Djokovic, 37, became the oldest tennis champion at the Paris Olympics last weekend after a hard-fought 7-6, 7-6 win over Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles gold medal match.
The fifth time was the charm for Djokovic, who had been chasing the one missing title on his illustrious resume and, by his own admission, completing the puzzle.
Djokovic saved all eight break points he faced in a match of very fine margins, during which neither player dropped serve except for the two tie-breaks. In the end, the former World No. 1 rose to the occasion in one of the biggest matches of his career.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is now the fifth tennis player to complete the Golden Slam, the unique achievement of winning each of the four majors and an Olympic gold medal. He is also the first Serbian to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games (in tennis).
Djokovic savored his best tennis for the Olympics in the most difficult season of his career, which began with injury concerns at the Australian Open. He parted company with two members of his backroom team, including his main coach, Goran Ivanisevic, in March.
He also underwent knee surgery after the fourth-round match at this year's Roland Garros, and he subsequently withdrew from the tournament, surrendering his title defense in the process.
Djokovic defied the odds to return to the court in a matter of weeks at Wimbledon and heroically made the final (losing to Alcaraz in straight sets). But knowing that the 224 Olympics was realistically his last shot at the gold medal (he still intends to play in LA in 2028), he did not take his eyes off the prize.
Djokovic secured his first Top 10 win of the season and, thus, the last significant title in tennis that he had yet to win. Many tennis fans, pundits, and even current players on tour praised him as the greatest tennis player of all time.
And now Toni Nadal, who just a few weeks ago was critical of Djokovic's performance in the Wimbledon final, joined in on the choir. Understandably, he acknowledged countryman Alcaraz's achievement of winning a silver medal for Spain and reserved the greatest praise for Djokovic.
"The images of Carlos crying on the court with clear signs of grief and frustration have left us with a bitter feeling, but they must not make us think that this is a defeat."
"He lost a match that could have been in his favor, giving his best at all times, fighting until the last ball as we know he usually does, and holding in suspense an entire country that enjoyed watching him for his great tennis and his passion. His silver medal against the best tennis player in history deserves, without a doubt, all our admiration."
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