Tennis

Novak Djokovic, the undisputed king of tennis, has reached unprecedented heights in his illustrious career. Having shattered numerous records, including winning each major at least three times, Djokovic's legacy is secure. However, at 36 years old, the question arises: what's left to achieve?Despite not winning an ATP tournament in 2023, Djokovic's Olympic gold medal victory over Carlos Alcaraz stands as a testament to his unwavering determination. The Serbian poured his heart and soul into this triumph, which he cherishes deeply.Throughout the year, Djokovic's focus was laser-sharp on the Olympics. However, his path was not without obstacles. Early-round losses and a knee injury at Roland Garros threatened to derail his plans. Remarkably, he overcame these setbacks and reached the Wimbledon final, which served as a warm-up for the Games.In Paris, Djokovic thrived in the two-out-of-three set format, winning six matches without dropping a set. His victory over Rafael Nadal was a highlight, setting the stage for his gold-medal triumph.Post-Olympics, Djokovic's US Open title defense ended abruptly in the third round. He acknowledged the mental toll the Games had taken on him, affecting his performance.As the season draws to a close, Djokovic's future plans remain uncertain. One option is to rest and prepare for the 2025 Australian Open, where he could potentially win his 11th title. Alternatively, he may participate in upcoming events, knowing that the pressure to win is minimal.Regardless of his decision, Djokovic's legacy is secure. He has redefined the boundaries of tennis and inspired generations of players. His Olympic gold medal is a testament to his unwavering spirit and the enduring power of his game.

Novak Djokovic's Olympic dream finally came true as he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling men's singles final at the Paris Olympics. The Serbian legend, who had previously won all four Grand Slams multiple times, called the gold medal his "biggest sporting achievement."The match was a tense affair, with neither player able to break the other's serve. Both the first and second sets went to tie-breakers, with Djokovic prevailing both times. The Serbian's experience and composure proved crucial in the end, as he held his nerve to win 7-6(7), 7-6(5).Alcaraz, who is widely regarded as the future of men's tennis, put up a valiant fight but was ultimately unable to match Djokovic's consistency. The Spaniard's serve, which has been a major weapon for him throughout his career, let him down at crucial moments.Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who congratulated Djokovic on his triumph, highlighted Alcaraz's service as the key factor in the match. "Alcaraz has what it takes, but to truly dominate for years on all surfaces, he'll need to step up his serve," Tendulkar said.Djokovic, who is now 37 years old, admitted that winning the Olympic gold medal was the pinnacle of his career. "This is probably the biggest sporting success I have ever had and the most special feeling," he said. "I thought carrying the flag at the opening ceremony for my country at the 2012 Olympics was the best feeling an athlete could have until today."Djokovic's victory marks a historic moment in tennis history. He is now the first man to win all four Grand Slams, the Olympic gold medal, and the ATP Finals. This achievement cements his status as one of the greatest players of all time.

Matt Ebden and John Peers etched their names into Australian Olympic history by capturing the nation's second tennis gold medal in the men's doubles event at the 2024 Paris Games. Their thrilling victory over Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the United States in a match tiebreaker marked a significant milestone for Australian tennis.The Australians faced an uphill battle after losing the first set and trailing 4-2 in the second. However, they displayed remarkable resilience, breaking Ram's serve to ignite their comeback. Their triumph echoed the historic gold medal won by Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in men's doubles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.Ebden's journey to the gold medal was particularly noteworthy. Initially a fill-in in singles, he faced the formidable Novak Djokovic and suffered a heavy defeat. Djokovic's subsequent comments sparked controversy, questioning Ebden's inclusion in the singles bracket without a teammate.Undeterred, Ebden and Peers forged an unbreakable bond on the court. Their victory was a testament to their determination and the power of teamwork. After the match, their children rushed onto the court to celebrate with their fathers, adding an emotional touch to the moment.Ram, at 40 years old, was aiming to become the oldest player to win an Olympic tennis gold medal since the sport's return to the Summer Games in 1988. He and Krajicek, who had eliminated Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, fell just short of their goal.The bronze medal match featured another American duo, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, who faced Tomas Machac and Adam Pavlasek of the Czech Republic. Machac and Katerina Siniakova had previously won the mixed doubles gold medal.Both Ram and Krajicek have achieved significant success in doubles, with Ram claiming four Grand Slam titles and Krajicek winning one. Ebden has also won two Slam trophies in men's doubles and one in mixed. Peers, a former world No. 1 in doubles, has one Grand Slam title each in men's and mixed doubles.The Australian victory is a testament to the nation's enduring strength in tennis. Ebden and Peers' gold medal will inspire future generations of Australian tennis players and serve as a reminder of the power of perseverance and teamwork.

Novak Djokovic's Olympic gold medal quest, once seemingly elusive, now appears within reach as he navigates the unique challenges of the quadrennial tournament. Despite his age and recent injury, Djokovic's experience and strategic approach have positioned him as a formidable contender.Djokovic's decision to focus solely on singles, unlike his rivals, provides him with a significant advantage. The demanding schedule and emotional toll of doubles can hinder singles performance, a lesson Djokovic has learned from past Olympics.The absence of key rivals like Jannik Sinner and Alex de Minaur further enhances Djokovic's chances. The unpredictable nature of Olympic tennis, however, remains a potential obstacle.Djokovic's impressive victory over Rafael Nadal in the second round has boosted his confidence. The match showcased Djokovic's dominance and Nadal's physical limitations, potentially signaling the end of Nadal's singles career.Djokovic's path to gold is not without challenges. Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spanish sensation, poses a formidable threat. However, Alcaraz's inexperience in Olympic tennis and the distractions of doubles could work in Djokovic's favor.The alignment of factors, including Djokovic's experience, strategic approach, and the absence of key rivals, suggests that the Olympic gold medal is within his grasp. This may be his last chance to claim the elusive honor, and the stars seem to be aligning in his favor.

Novak Djokovic, the tennis legend with an unparalleled Grand Slam record, faces a daunting challenge as he sets his sights on the elusive Olympic gold medal. Despite his remarkable achievements, this honor has remained out of reach, leaving a void in his illustrious career.Djokovic's Olympic journey has been marked by a series of setbacks and disappointments. In Beijing 2008, he claimed bronze, but his hopes were dashed in London 2012 and Rio 2016, where he suffered early exits. In Tokyo 2021, he entered the tournament as a Grand Slam champion but succumbed to fatigue and injury, failing to secure a medal.The pressure on Djokovic is immense, not only from his own competitive spirit but also from the patriotic expectations of his Serbian countrymen. Serbia has a rich Olympic history, but its medal count pales in comparison to neighboring nations. Djokovic's success would bring immense pride to his country.However, Djokovic's path to Olympic glory is fraught with obstacles. Young rivals like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have emerged as formidable threats, and the Olympic format, with its compressed schedule and multiple disciplines, poses unique challenges.Djokovic's struggles at the Olympics are puzzling, given his dominance in other tournaments. Some experts attribute it to the intense pressure and the need to balance singles and doubles play. Others point to the unpredictable nature of the Olympic draw, where upsets are common.Despite the setbacks, Djokovic remains determined to conquer the Olympic mountain. He acknowledges the difficulty of the task but draws inspiration from his past experiences of overcoming adversity. He believes that his competitive spirit and resilience will serve him well in Paris.As Djokovic prepares for his final Olympic campaign, the question remains: will he finally break the Olympic curse and add the elusive gold medal to his trophy cabinet? The stakes are high, and the pressure is on, but Djokovic's unwavering determination and the support of his nation will drive him to give it his all.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam singles champion, is gearing up for his fifth and likely final Olympic appearance in Paris. Despite being a dominant force in tennis, an Olympic gold medal remains elusive for the Serbian star.Djokovic has been diligently preparing for the Games, sharing his training regimen on social media. He has been practicing on clay courts and even took a break on a boat, trading his racquets for oars.In his previous Olympic appearances, Djokovic won bronze in Beijing 2008 but missed out on medals in London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020. He suffered heartbreaking losses in the bronze-medal matches in 2012 and 2021.Djokovic's recent form has been mixed. He was forced to withdraw from the French Open due to a torn meniscus but reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Carlos Alcaraz. Despite the setback, Djokovic remains determined to compete for a medal in Paris."I still have intentions to play Olympic Games [and] hopefully have a chance to fight for a medal for my country," Djokovic said after his Wimbledon loss.The draw for the tennis event will be revealed on Thursday, and fans will be eager to see who Djokovic will face. Potential semifinal opponents include Alcaraz and defending gold medalist Alexander Zverev.Djokovic's pursuit of an Olympic gold medal is a testament to his unwavering determination and competitive spirit. As he enters his fifth and likely final Games, he will be hoping to add the elusive Olympic title to his illustrious career.

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend, has achieved remarkable success throughout his career, amassing 24 Grand Slam titles, the most by any male player in history. However, one elusive accolade remains missing from his trophy cabinet: the Olympic gold medal.Djokovic's Olympic journey began in 2008 in Beijing, where he won a bronze medal in singles, his best result to date. He has since participated in three more Olympics, but gold has continued to evade him.In 2012 in London, Djokovic lost in the semifinals to Andy Murray, who went on to win gold. In 2016 in Rio, Djokovic suffered a disappointing first-round exit in singles and a second-round exit in doubles.The 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021) presented Djokovic with another opportunity to complete his Golden Slam, having won all four Grand Slams in 2021. However, his hopes were dashed in the semifinals by Alexander Zverev, who staged a remarkable comeback to win the match. Djokovic then lost the bronze medal match to Pablo Carreno Busta, a game marred by Djokovic's frustration and racket abuse.Despite his Olympic setbacks, Djokovic remains one of the greatest tennis players of all time. His dominance on the Grand Slam stage is unparalleled, and he continues to be a formidable force on the ATP Tour. As he prepares for his fifth and potentially final Olympic appearance in Paris 2024, Djokovic will be determined to add the elusive gold medal to his illustrious career.

The Indian under-12 tennis teams have emerged victorious in the South Asia championships held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The boys' team, comprising Puneeth Manohar, Aarav Chhallani, and Yuvaan Garg, secured the gold medal after defeating Pakistan 2-0 in the final. In the semifinals, they had overcome Sri Lanka 3-0.Throughout the league phase, the Indian boys displayed their dominance, defeating Bangladesh and Maldives 3-0 in each match, dropping only one game in six encounters. The girls' team, consisting of Srishti Kiran, Khushi Kadian, and Sarena Gahlot, also claimed the title by topping the round-robin league. They defeated Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal, losing just one set in the entire tournament.The top two teams from the competition will advance to the Asian under-12 championship, which will be hosted in Kazakhstan. Anil Dhupar, the AITA secretary general, expressed pride in the young athletes' achievements and their dedication, teamwork, and spirit.