"It's painful" - Carlos Alcaraz laments losing Paris Olympics final to 'deserving' Novak Djokovic, vows to bring gold to Spain in future

Carlos Alcaraz has laid bare his disappointment after losing the Paris Olympics men's singles gold medal match 6-7(3), 6-7(2) to Novak Djokovic in straight sets. However, the Spaniard has also expressed optimism over his future participation at the prestigious Games representing Spain.

Alcaraz and Djokovic played out an epic on Stade Roland Garros' Court Phillipe-Chatrier on Sunday, August 4. There was very little to separate the pair, with both sets going to tiebreaks, where the Serb upped his game considerably to edge the Spaniard. Alcaraz produced several moments of pure magic, but in the end, Djokovic's phenomenal serve and combination of accurate and powerful shotmaking made the difference.

The World No. 3 found it hard to hold back his tears after the match, similar to his emotional outpouring following his 2023 Cincinnati Open final loss to the Serb. Later, during his post-match on-court interview, Alcaraz lamented capitalizing on his chances to take control of the contest. The four-time Major winner also acknowledged Djokovic's uncanny ability to find his best when the going gets the toughest.

"It’s painful to lose the way I lost this match. I had my chances to probably be up in the match. I couldn’t take it. Novak was playing great. He deserves this. In the tough moments he increased his level. He played unbelievable shots.. an unbelievable game," Alcaraz said.

The Spaniard went on to state his pride about the way he played despite the disappointing defeat.

"I’m a bit disappointed but honestly I’ll leave the court with my head really really high. I gave everything I had. Fighting for Spain was everything to me. I’m proud with the way I played today," Alcaraz added.

The 21-year-old concluded by vowing to one day win the gold medal for Spain. For now, though, Alcaraz said, he will "enjoy lifting the silver".

"I’m pretty sure my moment will come. I will bring the gold medal to Spain one day. I’m gonna wait for that moment and work for that moment. Right now I have to enjoy lifting the silver. It’s pretty amazing as well," Alcaraz concluded.

Rafael Nadal had urged Carlos Alcaraz to "go for gold" after the end of the pair's men's doubles campaign at the Paris Olympics

Carlos Alcaraz (L) and Rafael Nadal (R) (Source: Getty)

Nadal and Alcaraz paired up for the men's doubles event at the Paris Games, and got their campaign off to a fine start against Argentine doubles specialists Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez. However, cracks in their on-court chemistry became evident in their narrow second-round win over the Dutch duo of Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof.

The Spaniards' doubles journey ultimately came to an end in the quarterfinals, as eventual silver medalists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram (USA) got the better of them. Later, Alcaraz took to Instagram to pen a heartfelt note of thanks to Nadal, whose Olympic career came to an end with the loss to Krajicek and Ram. The 22-time Major winner had earlier been ousted from singles by Djokovic.

Nadal thanked Alcaraz back and urged his young compatriot to aim for the gold medal in singles.

"Thanks to you Carlos Alcaraz. Go for gold! We are with you," Nadal wrote on his Instagram Story.

Nadal remains the only Spanish player to have won gold in men's singles at the Games (2008 Beijing Olympics). However, given the meteoric rise of Alcaraz over the last few years, it's very likely that the 21-year-old will fight to take back the men's singles gold medal to Spain at future editions of the Olympics.