Novak Djokovic shrugged off fitness fears as he set up a repeat of last month’s Wimbledon final with Carlos Alcaraz by reaching the Paris Olympic gold medal match on Friday.
The 37-year-old Serb who had floated pre-match doubts about his ability to front up for a semi-final against Lorenzo Musetti, exploded on the Italian for a 6-3, 6-2 semi-final win.
Djokovic now stands a win away from an Olympic gold medal which would complete his career dream.
“I have been waiting for this for almost 20 years,” Djokovic said. ““I’ve played four Olympic games, this is my fifth and I’ve never passed semi-finals.
“I lost three semi-finals in my first four Olympic games. I managed to overcome this big hurdle. I must be honest and say that I was thinking about all the semi-finals that I lost.”
Djokovic swept the last five points to win the opening set from 0-40 down against Musetti and won the last four games to clinch the finals spor.
Without a title in 2024, Djokovic is counting on a sow of force against the 21-year-old Alcaraz to try and break through.
“Before the match, during the match, just so, so nervous,” he said.
“But I’m so glad to overcome this hurdle and secure a medal for my country.
“I’ve achieved a lot of great things in this sport, but never finals of an Olympic games, so I’m super thrilled.
“I’m going to think about Alcaraz in the final tomorrow, but I’m also grateful to have a day off. I’m going to need one.”
