“Novak Djokovic made me cry” – Juan Martin del Potro recalls his emotions after Serb’s Paris Olympics gold triumph

Former Argentina player Juan Martin del Potro recalled that he cried after Novak Djokovic won the Gold medal at the recently concluded Paris Olympics and also admitted that this was the first tennis played in which he cried as a fan. The Serbian claimed his first gold medal at the Games after beating Carlos Alcaraz by 7-6, 7-6 in the final at Philippe Chatrier.

The Olympic gold medal was the only missing silverware in Djokovic’s glittering cabinet however the Serbian was finally able to add it by besting the Spaniard.

Djokovic lifted his game against the youngster and had to battle for almost three hours in the summit clash to end his long wait for the gold medal. Earlier, Djokovic had won the Bronze medal in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

The Argentine said in an interview at the US Open, “He made me cry the other day when he won the gold medal. It was the first tennis match that I cried.”

Meanwhile, Del Potro was a thorn in Djokovic’s flesh in the Olympic Games. The lanky Argentine, who was known for his massive forehand, defeated the Serbian in the Bronze medal match in the London 2012 Olympics. 

Subsequently, then World No. 1 Novak Djokovic lost in the first round to del Potro in two tiebreak sets at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Potro won the Silver medal after losing to Andy Murray in the final.

“My greatest success ever was beating Juan Martin del Potro in the final of US Open in 2018,” Novak Djokovic said, smiling.

Del Potro replied cheekily, “My biggest success was beating you [Djokovic] in Rio.”

Djokovic added, “And in London, Delpo is my nemesis at the Olympic Games. He’s been my slayer.”

Djokovic will now look to defend his US Open title after finding success in Paris.