French Open 2026: Novak Djokovic returns to the scene of his greatest triumph from the Paris Olympics: "The pinnacle of my career"

Of all the great history that he's made over two decades in international tennis, winning an Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024 still means the most to Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

"I put my heart, my soul, my body, my family, my everything on the line to win Olympic gold at age 37," Djokovic said the day of his pulsating Olympic final win over Carlos Alcaraz.

"I finally did it.”

Sunday night (24 May), the now-39-year-old opened his French Open 2026 campaign with a victory on the same Court Philippe-Chatrier stadium over France's big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.

The tennis GOAT was playing just his second event since the Indian Wells Masters in early March, but he's well and truly earned his right to cherry-pick when he plays now. And he's been sincere about his aspirations: He's chasing that record 25th major title win, having tied Margaret Court at 24 Grand Slams at the 2023 US Open.

It's Alcaraz and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner who have swept every major since then - nine in a row, but Roland-Garros holds a particularly sweet spot in Djokovic's heart... a golden spot, you could say.

“I’ve watched this video probably a million times," Djokovic said last August on the anniversary of his Olympic triumph.

“This will remain the pinnacle of my career given the years I waited and worked for it," he added about Paris 2024. "[I had] heartbreaking losses in the [previous] four Olympic Games I competed in prevented me from reaching this milestone.

"I will remember this moment forever.”

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Novak Djokovic's golden triumph at Paris 2024

It was far from given that Djokovic would have that long-awaited gold medal placed around his neck at the start of the Olympics, especially after Alcaraz beat him in straight sets just a couple of weeks earlier in the 2024 Wimbledon final.

But he built steam quickly on his beloved red clay in Paris, and withstood an emotional challenge against all-time clay great Rafael Nadal in the second round, though Nadal was far from his peak. Subsequent wins came over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Lorenzo Musetti to set up the Alcaraz clash in the final.

What ensued was a two-set gladiatorial battle, one that Djokovic said later wasn't just for him - but for all of Serbia.

"[It's] the greatest achievement and greatest highlight of my career overall, winning the gold for Serbia," he told reporters a few weeks later. "And at 37 I thought, you know, 'I don't know, could this be the last chance? Maybe.' So I had to push more than ever than I have ever done."

The moments that now sit with Djokovic from Paris 2024 aren't just the golden tennis: He remembers his wife and kids there; the whole of Serbia watching along; standing on the podium with the anthem playing; and, of course, that moment after - when he had won the gold.

"[It's] probably the most intense emotions I have ever had on a tennis court," Djokovic described, having fallen to his knees and put his head and hands into the clay.

It topped what had been his greatest feeling as a tennis professional previously: Carrying the Serbian flag into the Opening Ceremony at London 2012.

"I think the moment of when I achieved it, how I achieved it, after years of trying, the journey, that was the way it was, I think makes it even more unique."

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