Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are set to face each other for the seventh time in a highly anticipated gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. All of their previous encounters have taken place in finals or semi-finals of major tournaments, with only two of these matches ending in straight sets. They have competed against each other twice on clay, hard courts, and grass surfaces.
Both players are vying for their first Olympic gold medal, with Djokovic participating in his fifth Games and Alcaraz making his Olympic debut. Before their upcoming showdown at the Olympic Games, let’s take a look back at the six previous meetings between Djokovic and Alcaraz.
Their rivalry began at the Madrid Open in 2022, where Alcaraz emerged victorious in an epic three-set semi-final, which was later named the ATP match of the year. The match was incredibly tight, with only three breaks of serve and Alcaraz winning just three more total points than Djokovic in the three-hour and 35-minute marathon.
Their second encounter took place over a year later at the 2023 French Open, again on clay. After splitting two intense sets, Alcaraz struggled with cramps, allowing Djokovic to capitalize and secure a convincing four-set win on Court-Philippe Chatrier, which is also the venue for their Olympic match.
The third match between Djokovic and Alcaraz occurred in the final of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. Despite a shaky start, Alcaraz delivered an impressive performance, defeating Djokovic in a thrilling five-set battle. This victory ended Djokovic’s 34-match winning streak at the All England Club.
In the following month, Djokovic got his revenge by winning a dramatic and grueling title match against Alcaraz at the Cincinnati Masters. After trailing by a set and 2-4, Djokovic fought back and eventually sealed victory on his fifth match point. This match, which lasted three hours and 49 minutes, was named the ATP match of the year for 2023.
Their fourth and final meeting in 2023 took place in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in Turin. Djokovic displayed a flawless attacking display on the fast indoor hard courts, breaking Alcaraz four times and saving all four break points he faced.
In a repeat of the 2023 Wimbledon final, Alcaraz defended his crown by defeating Djokovic once again in 2024. However, this time, the outcome was very different. Alcaraz dominated Djokovic in the first and second sets, before holding off a more competitive Djokovic in the third set to secure a crushing win.
Photo from Novak Djokovic Instagram
