When Novak Djokovic lost a final in straight sets and his son’s smile brought him to tears
NEW DELHI: Novak Djokovic, the record-breaking 7-time Nitto ATP Finals champion, holds numerous ATP/WTA records, including the most weeks at No. 1 (428), most years ended at No. 1 (8), and most wins against Top 10 players (258). He has consistently finished in the Top 5 for 16 out of the last 17 years, with the exception of 2017 when he ranked No. 12.
Djokovic is the all-time leader for most Grand Slam men’s singles titles in history (24), including record 10 Australian Open titles, and is 1 of 3 men to hold all 4 Grand Slam championships at same time (also Budge, Laver).
He also holds the record for the most wins against Top 10 players in the PIF ATP Rankings history, achieving a personal-best of 31 Top 10 wins in 2015.
In the 2024 Wimbledon final, Carlos Alcaraz demonstrated his supremacy, overpowering Novak Djokovic of Serbia with a resounding 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) victory. The young Spaniard’s impressive performance allowed him to retain his Wimbledon crown, having defeated Djokovic in the previous year’s final as well.
The defeat dealt a blow to Djokovic’s aspirations of surpassing Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles and matching Roger Federer’s feat of eight men’s singles titles at Wimbledon.
Novak Djokovic was overcome with emotion during the post-match presentation after losing the final in straight sets. The tears flowed freely as he caught sight of his son’s smile from the stands. Despite the disappointment of the loss, Djokovic expressed his love and gratitude to his child, saying, “I love you and thank you for supporting me and i’ll give you a big hug and we all can love each other.”
The heartfelt moment showcased the strong bond between father and son, highlighting the importance of family support in the face of adversity. Djokovic’s words served as a reminder that, even in the toughest of times, love and unity can provide comfort and strength.
After his return following Wimbledon 2024, Novak Djokovic achieved a significant milestone by securing his first Olympic gold medal. In the final match of the men’s singles tennis event at the Paris Olympics, he once again faced Carlos Alcaraz, his formidable opponent.
Djokovic’s pursuit of Olympic gold had been a long and arduous journey, spanning an impressive 16 years. His determination and perseverance finally paid off as he stood atop the podium, proudly wearing the gold medal around his neck.
Novak Djokovic’s achievements:
The Serbian star is the only player to have won all nine ATP Masters 1000 events since the series began in 1990, accomplishing this feat multiple times for a record total of 40 titles.
He also holds the record for the most Grand Slam match wins in history (375), the third-most men’s singles titles in the Open Era (99), and the third-most men’s singles wins in the Open Era (1,116).
In the 2024 Roland Garros 4R, Djokovic earned his 370th match win at Grand Slams by defeating F. Cerundolo, setting the all-time record for the most Grand Slam match wins. He also captured the men’s singles Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, joining Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal in completing the men’s singles Career Golden Slam.
Djokovic boasts winning records against both Roger Federer (27-23) and Rafael Nadal (31-29), as well as impressive win streaks, including an ATP Tour-record 43 matches (2010-11), an ATP Masters 1000-record 31 matches (2011), and an Open Era-record 30 Grand Slam matches (2015-16).
