The Baseline Awards Novak Djokovic and Zheng Qinwen Achieve Olympic Dreams
Novak Djokovic and Zheng Qinwen Shine with Gold Medal Victories at the 2024 Olympics
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris showcased some of the most thrilling and patriotic performances in tennis history, with Novak Djokovic and Zheng Qinwen fulfilling their Olympic dreams by winning gold medals for their respective countries. These victories were not just about personal achievement but also about national pride, cementing their legacies in a sport where history is written on the biggest stages.
For Zheng Qinwen, the 22-year-old rising star from China, the Olympics marked the peak of her young career. Zheng entered the tournament with significant momentum, having won the Palermo title just before the Games. She quickly surged through her first two matches, demonstrating the form that had made her one of the most exciting talents on the WTA tour. In the third round, she faced Emma Navarro, defeating the American in a tense and hard-fought match. But it was her victory over Angelique Kerber, the veteran German who was retiring, that truly set the stage for Zheng’s next-level performance.
When Zheng faced Iga Swiatek, the reigning French Open champion and top seed, in the semifinals, many wondered if the young Chinese player could overcome the challenge. However, Zheng proved her mettle, defeating Swiatek in a stunning upset. With the semifinal win, Zheng was guaranteed a medal, but she made it clear that only gold would satisfy her. In the final, she comfortably dispatched Donna Vekic of Croatia in straight sets to claim the gold medal, marking her biggest career title to date. Zheng’s performance in Paris was a testament to her growing stature on the international tennis scene and her ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.
On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic also found redemption at the Olympics, capturing the elusive gold medal that had eluded him for years. Despite an illustrious career that includes 24 Grand Slam titles and numerous Masters 1000 championships, Djokovic had never won Olympic gold. His best Olympic finish had been a Bronze medal in 2008. However, 2024 would prove to be the year when the Serbian icon finally achieved this monumental goal.
Djokovic entered the tournament as the number one seed after Jannik Sinner withdrew, but his path to the final was filled with challenges. His draw was particularly tough, with a potential second-round clash against Rafael Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion. Nevertheless, Djokovic was in imperious form. He comfortably dispatched Matt Ebden and Dominik Koepfer, losing only a handful of games in his first two matches. Next, he outclassed younger stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Lorenzo Musetti, showing that despite being in recovery from a knee injury, Djokovic’s experience and skill were too much for his opponents.
In the final, Djokovic faced the young Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, who had just defeated him in the Wimbledon final a few weeks earlier. Alcaraz entered the final without losing a set, while Djokovic’s 2024 season had been a struggle. Yet, in this moment, Djokovic’s experience and determination proved decisive. Despite Alcaraz’s impressive rise, the veteran Serbian showed he still had the hunger and ability to perform on the biggest stage, winning in straight sets to secure the gold medal.
For both Djokovic and Zheng, their victories in Paris were more than just personal achievements. Olympic gold holds special significance, as it is about representing one’s country with pride. For Djokovic, winning gold was a milestone that finally filled the gap in his career achievements, while for Zheng, it marked the realization of her potential on the world stage. Both players not only proved their excellence on the court but also demonstrated the emotional and national significance of competing in the Olympics. Their victories will remain iconic in tennis history, with national pride driving them to the top in Paris.
