Novak Djokovic has secured a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics final, edging closer to fulfilling his longtime dream of winning a gold medal. He advanced to the final after a hard-fought victory over Lorenzo Musetti.
Unlike the women’s competition, the men’s side has produced a final featuring the top two seeds. Djokovic, the second favorite, will face top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz. The Serbian star has frequently expressed that winning an Olympic gold medal is his primary goal for the season, as it is one of the few titles that has eluded him in his illustrious career. His performance in Paris has underscored this ambition, with a series of convincing wins leading him to the final.
Despite not playing his absolute best tennis or the cleanest matches, Djokovic has consistently found ways to win. His latest victory over Musetti exemplifies his determination and skill. Musetti entered the match in strong form, having recently reached the final of the Croatia Open in Umag and the Wimbledon semi-final, where he also faced Djokovic.
Playing on clay, Musetti’s favored surface, the match promised to be a tough challenge for Djokovic. The first set was highly competitive, with both players facing break points in their initial service games but managing to hold. Although neither served particularly well, Djokovic had a slight edge, committing fewer unforced errors and hitting more winners. The pivotal moment came at 5-4, when Djokovic capitalized on set points to take the first set 6-4.
In the second set, Musetti initially took an early break, similar to his previous match against Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, he couldn’t maintain the lead. Djokovic immediately broke back to level the score at 1-1. Musetti broke again for a 2-1 lead, only to lose it once more. Djokovic’s consistent pressure eventually led to another break, allowing him to take a commanding 5-2 lead. Musetti, visibly frustrated, struggled to maintain focus, and Djokovic took full advantage, breaking serve once more to clinch the match 6-4, 6-2.
Djokovic’s solid performance and Musetti’s inability to capitalize on his opportunities were key factors in the match. Now, Djokovic stands just one victory away from achieving his goal of winning an Olympic gold medal, with Carlos Alcaraz as his final hurdle.