Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic To Meet For Olympic Gold

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 20: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia pose with their ... [+] trophies after the final of the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2023 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Carlos Alcaraz continues to make history at just 21 years old.

The Spanish sensation became the second-youngest man ever to reach the Olympic final with his ruthless 6-1, 6-1 dismissal of Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals.

The No. 2 seed will face No. 1 Novak Djokovic — who topped Italian Lorenzo Musetti, 6-4, 6-2 —- in a blockbuster gold-medal match on Sunday (Peacock).

“First time in my career,” the 37-year-old Djokovic, who has lost three Olympics semifinals previously, told Britney Eurton of Peacock. “I achieved a lot of great things in this sport, but never finals of Olympics. I am super thrilled. I hope I brought the joy to Serbian fans and people around the world and also in Serbia.

“Of course, I’m going to think about Alcaraz and the finals tomorrow, but I’m also very grateful to have a day off. I’m going to need one.”

Djokovic and Alcaraz have split their six career matches, with the Spaniard dominating their most recent match in straight sets in the Wimbledon final last month. They are 1-1 on clay, with Djokovic winning their most recent encounter in the 2023 Roland Garros semifinals when Alcaraz cramped badly and limped to the finish line.

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates match point against Lorenzo Musetti ... [+] of Italy in the Men's Singles Semifinal match on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros on August 02, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)

Djokovic’s one medal so far was a bronze in 2008 at Beijing after losing to rival Rafael Nadal in the semifinals; Djokovic also was beaten in the semifinals by the eventual champions at London in 2012 (Andy Murray) and at Tokyo three years ago.

“I played four Olympic games, this is my fifth and I never passed semifinals,” Djokovic said. “I lost three out of four semifinals in my first four Olympic games and I managed to overcome this big hurdle. I must be honest and say that I was thinking about the semifinals that I lost and I was just trying to be in the present moment.”

Alcaraz will be seeking to become just the second man after his countryman and Olympic doubles partner Rafael Nadal to win the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympic gold in the same year. He has now won 12 consecutive matches at Roland Garros dating to the French Open.

“Well, honestly it’s going to be a really special moment for me, for my life in my career, so I’m going to try to enjoy this moment because it’s going to be really difficult,” Alcaraz told Britney Eurton of Peacock.

“It’s going to be difficult for sure but I will try to be focused on myself. I try not to hear all the fans, or all the people that say I’m going to win. I’m just going to give my 100%, my best tennis and hopefully I reach my goal to get the gold.”

Auger-Aliassime was coming off a grueling 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 over Casper Ruud of Norway and Alcaraz seemed to understand that his opponent was not in peak form.

“Yesterday was a really tough day for Felix, playing a really tough match in singles, playing the mixed doubles as well and he finished late, so probably it was difficult to rest for him and probably couldn’t give his best tennis physically in the game so I have to say that,” Alcaraz said. “But honestly, I have to be focused on myself and my game.

“I’m really happy with my performance, probably one of the best in this tournament so far so I’m really happy with the feeling and hopefully keep going in the finals.”

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia celebrates match point during the Tennis ... [+] Men's Singles Semifinal match against Lorenzo Musetti of Italy on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros on August 02, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

During his quarterfinal win over Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic twice called the physio for his right knee, the same knee on which he had surgery in early June after withdrawing from Roland Garros. He said he was “very worried” about his knee but he rebounded to take out Musetti in straight sets in the semifinals.

The Serb closed it out in 1 hour, 50 minutes and finished with more winners (18 to 12) and fewer unforced errors (23 to 27) than the Italian.

He then dropped to the court in celebration.

And now another showdown with Alcaraz awaits.