Men’s Singles Gold Medal Match

Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)

Another match is confirmed to add to Novak’s new rival. It was Federer, Murray, and Rafa, but now he is Novak’s rival of this era. The top two players making it to the final and playing each other for the 7th time. Head to head tied 3-3 and Alcaraz just derailed him in the final of Wimbledon last month. Both players coming into this match having found their best form at some point this week. Novak played spectacular against Rafa and then against Musetti and Tsitsipas had to face some adversity and find a way. Alcaraz peaked last match against FAA, near flawless, and could do no wrong. Hopefully both players are able to find that same level tomorrow and put on a show, like Alcaraz told the Spanish media he would.

Both players are chasing history this week and will be the biggest best 2 out of 3 set match either have played in their career, and maybe ever will. For Novak, he has been pretty open about wanting this gold medal to add to his career. When he won his semifinal he fell to his back and laid there for a while, showing how much even just getting to the Olympic final means to him. If he wins it, he will have everything in the sport that he could achieve, besides the golden slam and calendar slam. Rafa won all four slams + gold in singles, Roger won all four slams + gold in doubles, but Novak has no gold to his name so he will do everything in his power to do that. Probably purify some water or something.

For Carlos Alcaraz, the history he is chasing is to be the youngest gold medal winner in men’s singles ever. He is the youngest finalist in 120+ years and when he heard that he said he didn’t want to think about that, as that is a big deal on its own. He also would have won 3 of the 4 slams + Olympic Gold all at 21 years old or younger. Insane and un thinkable a few years ago for a player that young to do that. There was a legitimate conversation on if a teenage male would ever win a slam again and he ended that pretty quick. 

Carlitos Alcaraz when he plays at his top level is virtually unbeatable and the best player ever, tied with Roger. There is no weakness and nothing he can’t do on the court. Djokovic has to play his top level to win whereas Alcaraz can play his B game and give himself a good chance to win, or to find his best game. Novak has been going big on the backhand so I expect him to try to use that aggressively to Carlitos backhand. Novak’s movement at times has seemed hampered and at times has seen fine, so if he is struggling tomorrow that will be tough for him on clay to have a shot. Things will have to align correctly for Novak to get the job done tomorrow, but any time these two take the court together there are going to be some fireworks. Alcaraz, Djokovic, round 7, digging for gold.