Olympics 2024 will be a bittersweet one for most tennis fans, including me.
On one hand, we get to see fireworks from the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and so on.
On the other hand, it may very well be the last time Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray appear on one of the sport’s grandest stages.
Sooner rather than later, we may live in an era where the ‘Big 4’ will finally pass on to mythology.
The missing piece
There was a time when Roger Federer owned every record in tennis’ history books—from Grand Slam titles to most weeks at number one—you name it, the Swiss maestro’s got it.
I still vividly remember the time when Federer had 16 Slam titles to Nadal’s nine and then to Novak’s one. As of late, Djokovic has 24; Nadal with 22; and the retired Federer, 20.
Almost every record that was set by Federer was matched, if not surpassed, by Djokovic. One can joke about how the only thing Djokovic cannot take away from him was his elegance and ballerina-like movements on the court.
But for all the world records and statistics to his name, one remains elusive: Olympic gold.
In all of the sport’s history—in men’s singles, at least—only a couple players have been able to complete the Golden Slam: Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal.
To win every Grand Slam whilst taking home Olympic gold is one of tennis’ tallest mountains to climb. And for a fierce competitor like Djokovic, he will not rest, not until he has that medal in his trophy cabinet.
At Tokyo, Djokovic had the chance of not just completing it but also doing it in the same year; Steffi Graf, Agassi’s better half, is the sole player—men or otherwise—to achieve this.
He destroyed Medvedev in Australia, captured Roland Garros against Tsitsipas after losing the first two sets, and thwarted Mateo Berrettini at Wimbledon.
Going into Tokyo, Djokovic was in rarefied air, and the stars had seemingly aligned for him.
He made it through to the semi-finals and won the first set against an upset Zverev (6-1). Here he was, one step closer to chasing the ultimate dream. And then Zverev locked in.
The German took the next two sets from him (6-3, 6-1) to steal the game. And when the chance to claim a second bronze medal was on the cards, Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta stood his ground.
This year, old age has finally caught up to him; he’s yet to win a title and had knee surgery before Wimbledon. At 37, Paris may be his final salvo in the Olympics.
Despite being hurt and hobbled, SBOTOP still has him as one of the top favourites to win the gold medal.
He has beaten insurmountable odds before; does he have one last fight left in him?
A definite end
Andy Murray has had enough—his mind still fights, but the body is long gone. According to Olympics 2024 news, Paris will be his last stop.
The three-time Slam winner has battled injuries throughout his career. But at 37—just a week older than Djoker—he admits to himself that he can no longer keep up like this.
Unable to play in the men’s singles and knocked-out yesterday at the men’s doubles with his brother, Murray will have one last chance to play at the famed All-England club as he teams up with former US Open winner Emma Raducanu in the mixed doubles.
Olympics 2024 odds indicate that his chances are slim to none. Still, he intends to bow out with his head held high.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist in tennis, Murray had given so much back to his country and supporters alike. He, along with Nadal, are the only members of the ‘Big 4’ who have touched gold in the men’s singles at the Olympics.
Both will be making Paris their final Olympic dance, and they intend for it to be a memorable one.
Nadal will partner up with one of the world’s best, Carlos Alcaraz, for men’s doubles in hopes of bowing out on a high; on the surface and court, where he won 14 of his 22 slams, I could see no better way of ending one’s legendary Olympic career.
For Djokovic and Murray, a contrast of fates. Nevertheless, Court Philippe Chatrier will see-off legends of the game for one last time.
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