Oldest Olympic tennis singles gold medallist (male, open era)

Novak Djokovic (Serbia, b. 22 May 1987) was 37 years 74 days old when he defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7–6, 7–6 in the men’s singles final at the Olympic Games in Paris, France, on 4 August 2024.

Just two men, both representing Great Britain, have won Olympic tennis singles gold at a greater age – both at London 1908, when the singles competition was divided into outdoor and indoor events. The latter was won by Arthur Gore (b. 2 January 1868), who was 40 years 130 days old when he beat George Caridia 6–3, 7–5, 6–4 at Queen’s Club on 11 May 1908. Major (not a military rank) “Josiah” Ritchie (b. 18 October 1870) was 37 years 267 days old when he defeated Germany’s Otto Froitzheim 7–5, 6–3, 6–4 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on 11 July 1908.

Djokovic completed a career “Golden Slam” and a clean sweep of the 15 “Big Titles” – Grand Slams (4), ATP Finals, Olympic Games and active Masters 1000 events (9) – at Stade Roland-Garros, winning the only major title that had eluded him since turning pro in 2003.

Tennis was an Olympic sport in 1896–1924 (indoor and outdoor events in 1908–12), but was absent from the Games for 64 years before its return in 1988. Past Olympic singles gold medallists have included Andre Agassi (1996), Rafael Nadal (2008), Andy Murray (2012 and 2016) and Alexander Zverev (2020).