Men’s Gold Medal Match

In a match played at a insanely high level from first point to last, it was Novak Djokovic (SRB) who took out Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) for the Gold Medal in two tiebreakers. 7-6 (3) 7-6 (2). It was one of the best only 2 sets of tennis played from two players at the same time. From Novak Djokovic it was one of the top two performances of his career, and to him, maybe the most important. You could see how much it meant to him, laying on the ground and crying after the match. For Alcaraz, also crying, you could see the devastation for him. The first time I have ever seen him cry after a loss although he’s really not lost any big matches yet. Or any matches. He’ll be back in four years and probably be the favorite, but he could’ve done something historic. Not much he could’ve done better though, as Novak was prime Novak in this one.

In the first set, especially as the set went on, it was Novak who was keeping his court positioning inside the baseline and not really backing off. Alcaraz was relying on his defense, baiting Novak in, and trying to pass him or lob him. To start there were plenty of chances to break, 13 total in the first set, including a 14 minute game at 4-4. This game had Alcaraz getting 5 break points chances and every single time it was Novak coming up with the goods. Alcaraz was running around, grinding, getting to everything. “He’s here! He’s there! He’s every f***** where! Carlos, Carlos!” but Novak somehow had an answer. Hitting a first serve on all of those points, and every time he needed one seemingly. Alcaraz would read Novak shot hit an insane pass and it was Novak there for the volley, even hitting backhand swing volley by his head on one of those points. Time after time. He fended off those break points and to a breaker they went. And when he needed to defend, he was stretching all over the place, 0 signs of worry for his surgically repaired knee. In the breaker it was Novak’s aggressiveness paying off, stepping in to a forehand return slightly shank winner on the line, for the mini break. But when you are taking those chances time after time, one will pay off, and it did. That was the first set, that one shot

Both players could feel the first set is so important, especially in a best 2 of out 3 match. Do you make the adjustments to start the 2nd set? Or since you were so close do you just stay with what you’re doing and hope the point or two go your way. One slip up and game set match. Since Carlitos didn’t get the first set, in a match with such high stakes, he was very on edge in the 2nd set. He felt like he had his chances, should be up a set, and now able to swing freely playing with the lead. Instead he’s down a set and living and dying by every single swing of the racquet. Both players wanting this gold medal so bad. 

Although the score was the same in the 2nd it was much different. Great points still but less extended games and only 1 break point between both players for the whole set. As the set went on and the tennis was so good, I wanted a 3rd set just because only 2 sets for a match of that stakes is crazy. But it was a tiebreak to decide that and in tiebreakers vs Novak is a tough task. He starts it off with a running FH winner. Lights out shot. Wins the next point. 2-0. He’s playing unbelievable, but with these stakes and his elusive gold medal there, would he get tight. Novak has never choked a big match, could today be the day. And like that boom he misses a rally ball deep. Seemed like maybe today was the day. 

But nope it was Novak, once again, hitting a ridiculous forehand on the run winner. Seemingly the exact same shit he hit earlier in the tiebreak, but more stretched, harder, better. And that would turn out to be all she wrote. Fitting enough, he won on a monster inside forehand winner.

All credit to Novak, he played absolutely cracked, and Alcaraz played a great match also. If he wins one point at 4-4 we are probably all sitting here talking about how great of a match he is and how wonderful of a player he is. And he is. Absolutely is. But Novak’s relentless pressure with his court positioning and serving turned out to be the difference. And he deserved the win. Deserved the gold medal and now holds all 5 major titles.  If he could’ve won one tournament all year I think it was this one. Going forward, you have to wonder what else there is for him to achieve in the sport and if this was his last Olympics. 

Result:  Novak Djokovic (SRB) def Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 7-6 (3) 7-6 (2)

Women’s Singles Gold Medal Match

In the most predicted gold medal match maybe ever, it was Qinwin Zheng of China taking the gold medal, and Donna Vekic of Croatia going home with silver. Qinwin beat the Croat 6-2 6-3. Even though the score was pretty straight forward, the match came down to a point here or a point there. It was Qinwin who seemed more calm and composed throughout the match, as Vekic showed she felt the moment more. For both players, it was the biggest match of their life.

Qinwin took advantage of her chances and broke in two deuce games in the first set. The second set seemed to be the same as the first for Qinwin, an early break, but Donna raised her game and broke back. I think at that moment the finish line was in sight for Qinwin, and Donna relaxed, just able to play her game and go after the ball. Qinwin tensed up, not moving as much, and not even running for a few balls. The first set and a half she was everywhere. And for a few games there it really seemed like okay, the longer this goes and tighter this gets Vekic has the advantage, at least for this set. But it didn’t last long and she could feel the tension again. Got broken at 3-4 and Zheng came in clutch to serve out the match on her first try.

Zheng becomes the first Chinese singles player ever to win a gold medal at the Olympics. No man or woman had ever done that before. China has been coming along in tennis for the last 20 years or so, that I can remember, ever since Li Na. Li Na won the Australian Open and became world number 1 and has had a huge influence on Chinese tennis. Zheng is probably a product of that. Now there is ZZZ and Wu Yibing on the men’s side, but this will have the Li Na type of effect for Chinese tennis and make her way bigger of a star than she already was. We will see if this can give her some added confidence and momentum going into the US Open.

For Vekic, she has to be on top of the moon. Did she win? No. But she was considering retirement before Roland Garros just 3 months ago. Now she is a Wimbledon Semi-Finalist and Olympic gold medalist in the span of a month. Guess that is why you stick some things out. She played some serious, serious, tennis this week and nobody in the draw will want to see her name in early rounds of Cincinnati or New York. The Cincy draw should be stacked since some players will take Canada off to rest from the Olympics, then will be hitting the practice courts at Cincy hard. Good for us Indy tennis folks. 

Zheng and Vekic took the tennis world by storm this week, beating the two favorites on their way to the finals. These two deserve to get Gold and Silver. and it’ll be interesting to see what happens to their careers from here. But for now, they both pulled off unbelievable accomplishments and need to take some time to soak it all in and enjoy the moment.

Result: Qinwin Zheng (CHN) def Donna Vekic (SRB) 6-2 6-3