Novak Djokovic (Serbia) has achieved an unparalleled level of success in his career. However, he had never been an Olympic champion, and it was the one thing which eluded him. But, with his win over Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) at the 2024 Paris Olympics final, he has achieved the one thing he wanted all his life, an Olympic Gold Medal. Djokovic has completed the quest for the “Career Golden Slam.” He has finally done it all. He’s won everything in tennis. He left it until 37 but he’s completed tennis. This transcends tennis and is one of the greatest sporting moments ever. This article will delve into Djokovic’s achievements.
Most Grand Slam Titles (24)
Australian Open
It all started at the 2008 Australian Open, where Djokovic won his first Slam title as a 21-year-old. Even though he was a top player by then, the Slams were still dominated by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic beat Roger Federer in straight sets in the semifinals and made a statement to the tennis world. The start of his peak also commenced at the Australian Open in 2011, where he won his second Slam title, after a gap of three years. The Australian Open eventually became his favorite Slam, as he won eight more titles there. He has won the most Australian Open titles in tennis history, with 10, and has never lost a final.
Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon for the first time in 2011. It was his first Slam win outside the Australian Open and his third overall. Winning Wimbledon was the childhood dream of Djokovic and he has fulfilled that dream several times in his career. His seven Wimbledon titles are the second most in tennis history, behind Roger Federer (eight). He has won Wimbledon at crucial junctures of his career. Djokovic’s 2018 Wimbledon title came at a time, when he was returning from a major injury and was far from his best. He was ranked outside the Top 20 and beat Rafael Nadal in an epic match en route to the title. That Wimbledon triumph rekindled his passion, and he started dominating the tour.
US Open
Novak Djokovic’s first Slam final came at the US Open in 2007, where Roger Federer defeated him. Djokovic took his revenge as he beat Roger Federer in the 2011 US Open en route to the title. Some of Djokovic’s most devastating losses have come at the US Open. He was one win away at the 2021 US Open to achieve a “Calendar Grand Slam” (winning all four Slams in the same year). Despite that, he has won four US Open titles, one fewer than Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, and Jimmy Connors, who have the most in the Open era in men’s tennis.
French Open
The French Open was the final hurdle for Djokovic to complete his set and it took him the longest to achieve it. He lost three French Open finals before finally winning it in 2016 against Andy Murray. The French Open has been the hardest Slam for Djokovic to win because of Rafael Nadal, who has won it 14 times and stopped Djokovic numerous times. Djokovic is the only player who has beaten Nadal twice at the French Open and the only player to win more than one French Open title in the 21st century. Djokovic has won three titles at the French Open.
Most Weeks as World No.1
Novak Djokovic became world No.1 for the first time on July 4, 2011, after beating Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon final. Since then, he has held the No.1 ranking for 428 weeks, 118 weeks more than Roger Federer, who is in second place. Becoming the world No.1 was another childhood dream of Djokovic and is not just a reflection of his talent but also his relentless pursuit of greatness. He has finished the year as No.1 eight times in his career, which is the most in tennis history. Moreover, he is also the oldest man to finish on top at the end of the year when he did it as a 36-year-old in 2023.
Career Golden Masters
The ATP Masters 1000 are some of the biggest tournaments in tennis. Winning all the nine active ATP Masters tournaments is termed Career Golden Masters. Novak Djokovic is the only player to achieve this feat. And he has done that twice, which makes it even more ridiculous. His first Masters title came at the Miami Masters in 2007. By 2013, Djokovic had won eight of the nine Masters but the Cincinnati Masters kept him waiting for another five years. After losing in five finals at the Cincinnati Masters, Djokovic got his hand on one in 2018 by beating Roger Federer in the final.
Djokovic achieved the Career Golden Masters a second time when he won the Cincinnati Masters in 2020. Djokovic has won 40 Masters titles, which is a record. Masters events are played on different surfaces and in different conditions across the year. This highlights his versatility, consistency and willingness to keep going despite the heartbreaks.
Most Tour Finals Titles
Winning the Tour Finals is one of the hardest things to do in tennis. The eight best players of the year fight for the title at the ATP Finals and it rewards the second most points (1500) after a Slam (2000). There are no easy matches in the Tour Finals and a player has to play at his best in every match. Djokovic has won seven Tour Finals titles, the most in history. He won his first Tour Finals in 2008, and it has been one of his favorite and most successful tournaments. To compare: his biggest rival, Rafael Nadal, has never won this tournament.
Davis Cup Title
The Davis Cup is a historic team competition which began in 1900. It is one of the most prestigious events in tennis contested annually between teams from over 150 countries. The Serb loves to play for his country and takes immense pride in doing so. Djokovic won the Davis Cup in 2010 to give the first Davis Cup title to Serbia. Djokovic played a key role in the win as he won all seven of his singles matches.
Olympic Gold
Winning the Gold Medal for Serbia at the Olympics was the only thing missing from Djokovic’s CV, and he did it at the 2024 Paris Olympics. At 37, he is the oldest Olympic champion in singles in tennis history. If Djokovic had won the Olympics sooner, it wouldn’t have been so meaningful. Having not won a title all year, getting destroyed in the Wimbledon final by Alcaraz, and then beating him on the French clay, as a heavy underdog. This Gold Medal salvages everything and he did that without dropping a set.
>Somehow, this feels even sweeter knowing this was probably his last Olympics and the twilight of his career. After so many devastating losses at the Olympics, he won a second medal for his country and a Gold one at that. Poetic is the word.
Novak Djokovic is an Inspiration
Winning Olympic Gold at 37 years old, on clay, seven weeks after knee surgery and beating the guy who won the last two Majors. This shows the true greatness of Djokovic’s mental resilience as all odds were stacked against him. Djokovic has defied expectations time and time again. It only makes sense that he’d do it again, on the biggest international stage. It’s the stuff of legends.
Successes come when you are mentally strong enough to put yourself out there and are willing to take the heartbreaks. With this attitude, Djokovic kept checking one box after another box and has won everything that is there for a tennis player to win. Novak Djokovic has once more proved that we should never give up, should keep going for things we want in life, and some days the good things will come because everything is possible if we have enough belief and heart. An inspiration to never back down.
He is a true example of willpower. His mind process should be studied, not his tennis. When it comes to tennis, there is nobody equal to Novak Djokovic. His level at this age is some sort of absurdity. There is nothing left to win for him. He is not only the greatest tennis player of all time, but right up there as the greatest athlete of all time.
Main Photo Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
