Golden Boy vs. Gold Standard: Alcaraz meets Djokovic in Olympic final

Sunday's Paris Olympics final will be a battle for the ages: 37-year-old Novak Djokovic, the oldest man to play in a gold medal match, against 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, the youngest.

With a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, 40 ATP Masters 1000s and 428 weeks atop the PIF ATP Rankings, Djokovic has become the gold standard in men's tennis — the aspirational measuring stick for the game's next generation of stars. Alcaraz is rapidly working his way toward those historic numbers. With four major titles before his 22nd birthday, the golden boy is ahead of the pace set by Djokovic and the Big 3.

“Obviously it's a really great start of my career, but I have to keep going," the Spaniard said after beating Djokovic in July's Wimbledon final. "I have to keep building my path. At the end of my career, I want to sit at the same table as the big guys. That's my main goal. That's my dream right now."

For Djokovic, the Olympics are a rare occasion, and not just because they are held every four years. The event provides an opportunity for the great champion to chase a title he has never won before. Since he completed the Career Golden Masters — winning each ATP Masters 1000 at least once — at Cincinnati in 2018, Olympic gold remains the only 'Big Title' missing from his collection.

"This is a big deal," Djokovic said after easing past Lorenzo Musetti to reach his first gold medal match. A bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Djokovic has not been on the podium since, finishing fourth in 2012 (London) and 2021 (Tokyo), either side of a shock first-round exit in 2016 (Rio de Janeiro).

After overcoming knee concerns to beat Musetti, Djokovic fell onto his back at Roland Garros in a celebratory scene usually reserved for a final. 

"Just to secure a higher medal for the first time for my country, whatever happens on Sunday, is a huge, obviously pride and honor and happiness — and that’s why I celebrated the way I did,” he said. “I still need to celebrate, because it’s a big success, of course."

This dream is long lived and fought for. I wanted to compete in the finals of Olympic games for such a long time. Representing my country at a global event is a huge privilege and honor that I cherish. Serbia will have a medal on Sunday!!! Ideeeemooooo ????????? pic.twitter.com/GLywjKPNNd

Debutant Alcaraz has receive a crash course in Olympic tennis this week, competing with Rafael Nadal in doubles alongside his singles run. Despite his youth, the significance of Sunday's final is clear.

"It’s going to be a really special moment for me, in my life, in my career," Alcaraz said after cruising past Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semis. "So I’m going to try and enjoy this moment, because it’s going to be really difficult."

The task would have seemed even harder hours later, after Djokovic displayed some of his best tennis in dispatching Musetti. But on recent form, Alcaraz is "definitely a favourite" — at least according to Djokovic.

Alcaraz won both of his Wimbledon titles at Djokovic's expense in the final, including a straight-sets domination less than a month ago. But the Serbian prevailed in their third championship match, winning a third-set tie-break last year in a Cincinnati epic. Djokovic also took their only previous meeting on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where they will do battle on Sunday. All told, the rivals have split six previous Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings. 

Both men have lifted the title at Roland Garros, the site of this year's Olympic Tennis Event. Only one can claim his first gold medal.

Sunday's final is scheduled for not before 2 p.m. CEST/8 a.m. EDT.

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