Novak Djokovic set two new records with his latest victory at the Paris Games, moving within three wins of a coveted Olympic gold medal.
Djokovic defeated Germany’s Dominik Koepfer 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Olympics. With this win, he became the first player to reach the Olympic quarter-finals on four different occasions.
Before the Paris Games, Djokovic shared this record with Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori, and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario. Angelique Kerber joined them with three quarter-final appearances after her third-round win against Leylah Fernandez at Roland Garros. Now, Djokovic stands alone, having also reached the quarters at Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Tokyo 2020.
Djokovic’s only Olympic medal so far is a bronze from the Beijing Games, but he is now close to securing another medal for his country.
“It is a great honor to represent my country at the Olympics. It is an incredible sporting event,” said the 24-time Grand Slam winner. “The atmosphere here is unique. We play at Roland Garros every year, but the Olympic crowd brings a different energy, with supporters from all over the world celebrating sport together.”
At 37 years and two months, Djokovic also became the oldest quarter-finalist at the Olympics, surpassing France’s Jeremy Chardy, who was 34 years and five months when he reached the quarters at Tokyo 2020. Djokovic was 34 years and two months at the Tokyo Olympics, while Nishikori was 31 years and six months, and Federer was 30 years and 11 months at London 2012.
Next, Djokovic will face Stefanos Tsitsipas, against whom he holds an 11-2 head-to-head record. Djokovic has won their last 10 matches, with Tsitsipas’s only victories coming at the 2018 Canadian Open and 2019 Shanghai Masters. Djokovic is also 5-0 on clay against Tsitsipas, including a comeback win in the 2021 French Open final after being two sets down.
