The Serb won 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in their quarter-final meeting but was visibly struggling with the knee injury that forced him to withdraw from the French Open.
During a lengthy second set, Djokovic came from 5-2 down to force a tie-break, saving set point three times, but he also needed to be seen by his trainer twice as the match took its toll.
And after the match, Djokovic was left feeling anxious over the condition of his knee.
"I am very worried, honestly, I don't know what to say," Djokovic said, via AFP. "I finished the match, and the intense pain went away. Whether I hit myself or slipped, I don't even know.
"It all resembled the fourth round of Roland-Garros where I managed to finish the match, and then I found out I was injured. I am pleased with the victory, but I am worried."
Djokovic, who is chasing his first-ever Olympic gold medal, had already confirmed he would be talking to his medical team after expressing his concerns.
If he is able to play, he will face Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, who beat defending champion Alexander Zverev, in the semi-final. The pair faced off at Wimbledon last month, with the former world number one coming out on top in straight sets.
"It's day-by-day now," Djokovic said.
"Musetti won against Zverev today, he’s in terrific form. [He’s] played at least semis in every event, I think, for the last five, six events.
"We had an incredible late-night finish here in the third round of Roland-Garros - I think it was up to 3am we played - so I hope I can be physically fit for that one because that's what's going to be necessary to try and get the win."
Djokovic triumphed 7-5 6-3 in one hour and 37 minutes at Roland-Garros on Wednesday.
The world number two is in the hunt for a second Olympic medal, having previously claimed bronze in 2008.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, who beat Sebastian Baez, is next up for Djokovic.
The 37-year-old, now into his fourth Olympic quarter-final, has defeated the Greek in each of their last 10 meetings.
"It’s very humid," said Djokovic after his win, with Paris experiencing sweltering conditions.
"I just hope it rains so it cools down the temperature and the air a bit. But you have to accept and embrace the conditions. It's the same for you and your opponent, so you have to make the best out of it."
Lorenzo Musetti, meanwhile, defeated Taylor Fritz, though the latter's compatriot Tommy Paul did beat home hope Corentin Moutet.
Data Debrief: Golden oldie
At the age of 37 years and 61 days, Djokovic is the oldest player to reach the men's Singles quarter-finals at the Olympics since tennis returned to the program in 1988.
Italian Musetti has equalled the best run by a man from his nation in the Olympics singles since 1988 (Paolo Cane in Seoul 1988 and Renzo Furlan in Atlanta 1996).
The 24-time major winner took just 53 minutes to wrap up a comprehensive 6-0 6-1 rout on Court Philippe-Chatrier, to set up a potential second-round clash with Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic won bronze on his Olympic debut in 2008, but missed out on a medal after finishing fourth in 2012 and 2020, while he was beaten in round one in Rio by eventual silver medallist Juan Martin del Potro eight years ago.
However, there was no danger of a repeat of the latter this time around. The Serb took just 24 minutes to wrap up a dominant first set, in which he bageled his helpless opponent.
Ebden remained in positive spirits despite his ordeal. At one stage, he offered his racquet to the crowd, who gave him a wonderful reception when he won his first game of the contest at the 11th attempt.
Nevertheless, it only briefly delayed the inevitable, with Djokovic cruising to the finish line.
Data Debrief: Dominant Djokovic soars into second round
There was no messing around from the 24-time major winner on Saturday, as he was done and dusted in just under an hour at Roland-Garros.
He converted six of his nine break-point opportunities, while winning 14 of 19 net points (74%).
The identity of his second-round opponent is still to be decided, but we could well see a blockbuster clash with Nadal.
Nadal looked down and out midway through the second set, but the 14-time French Open champion has plenty of history at Roland-Garros and did not go down without a fight.
Ultimately, though, Djokovic just had too much, and prevailed 6-1 6-4 to take his place in the third round.
Djokovic dominated the opening set, needing just 39 minutes to nose himself ahead in the 60th contest between these two greats, and the first since the 2022 French Open.
It was just the third time Nadal had won only one game in a completed set at Roland-Garros, and the first time since a 2015 French Open quarter-final against Djokovic.
Djokovic seemed to be cruising towards a routine victory as he stormed into a 4-0 lead in the second set, yet Nadal's magnificent levels of resilience came to the fore as the Spaniard reeled off four straight games to draw level at 4-4.
The Serbian eventually wrestled back control, capitalising on a fourth break point to go 5-4 up and, after a long return from Nadal, Djokovic served out for the match to bring what could be the last match of this incredible rivalry to a close.
Data Debrief: The last dance
Nadal, who is also in doubles action in Paris with Carlos Alcaraz, came into this with a big edge at Roland-Garros over Djokovic, holding an 8-2 head-to-head record at the venue, with that including three French Open final victories.
This duo are the first male players to face each other 60 times in the Open Era, and if it was to be their last dance, at least Nadal made a fist of it.
Djokovic was the stronger player throughout, though, despite that second-set fightback from Nadal, and the world number two is the player with the most match wins against a single opponent in the Open Era (31).
He is also the first player to win 15 men's singles matches at the Olympics since tennis returned to the summer programme in 1988.
Djokovic appeared to be struggling with a knee injury that forced him to withdraw from the recent French Open, but was able to emerge a 6-3 6-6 (7-3) victor.
The Serbian started brightly on Court Philippe Chatrier, earning a break in the fourth game that proved decisive, with Djokovic able to hold serve to see out the first set.
However, Tsitsipas raced out of the blocks in the second, producing a double break to race into a 4-0 lead. But the former world number one was not ready to concede.
With the Greek in touching distance from taking the encounter to a third-set decider, Djokovic rallied to win the next three games on the spin to level the game at 5-5.
Djokovic and Tsitsipas would hold their respective serves, meaning a second-set tie-break would determine whether the encounter would continue at Roland-Garros.
But it would be the Serbian who would advance to the semi-finals, winning three games in a row to complete a brilliant display.
Djokovic will face Lorenzo Musetti for a place in Sunday's final after the Italian defeated reigning champion Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
Data Debrief: Djokovic continues his quest for gold
Djokovic has now made four Singles semi-finals at the Olympics: twice as many than any other player since tennis returned to the Summer Olympics program in 1988.
The Serbian impressed on serve, scoring six aces throughout the contest to Tsitsipas' three, while saving four of the six break points he faced.
Djokovic appeared to be struggling with a knee injury that forced him to withdraw from the recent French Open, but was able to emerge a 6-3 6-6 (7-3) victor.
The Serbian started brightly on Court Philippe Chatrier, earning a break in the fourth game that proved decisive, with Djokovic able to hold serve to see out the first set.
However, Tsitsipas raced out of the blocks in the second, producing a double break to race into a 4-0 lead. But the former world number one was not ready to concede.
With the Greek in touching distance from taking the encounter to a third-set decider, Djokovic rallied to win the next three games on the spin to level the game at 5-5.
Djokovic and Tsitsipas would hold their respective serves, meaning a second-set tie-break would decide whether the encounter would enter a third set at Roland-Garros.
But it would be the Serbian who would advance to the semi-finals, winning three games in a row to complete a brilliant display.
Djokovic will face Lorenzo Musetti for a place in Sunday's final after the Italian defeated reigning champion Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
Data Debrief: Djokovic continues his quest for gold
Djokovic has now made four singles semi-finals at the Olympics: twice as many than any other player since tennis returned to the Summer Olympics program in 1988.
The Serbian impressed on serve, scoring six aces throughout the contest to Tsitsipas' three, while saving four of the six break points he faced.
Djokovic, having seen Alcaraz dispatch Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets, made light work of Lorenzo Musetti in Friday's second semi-final to qualify for an Olympics singles showpiece match for the first time in his incredible career.
The Serbian won 6-4 6-2 at Roland-Garros, where he also defeated Rafael Nadal en route to reaching the final.
Now, Nadal's compatriot Alcaraz stands in between Djokovic and his first gold medal, who previously claimed bronze at the 2008 Games.
Djokovic will also have revenge on his mind, with Sunday's showdown coming just three weeks after the 37-year-old lost to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
The pair's head-to-head record stands at three wins apiece.
Data Debrief: Three of a kind
In reaching his maiden Olympic gold medal match, Djokovic became just the third player to reach the singles final after turning 30 since tennis returned to the Games in 1988.
It is quite the illustrious list, with Djokovic joining Serena Williams and his old foe Roger Federer, who both reached the respective men's and women's finals in London 12 years ago.
Should he triumph against Alcaraz, Djokovic will become just the fifth player to complete a career golden slam, which includes winning all four grand slams and a singles Olympic gold medal.
Only Stefanie Graf, Andre Agassi, Nadal and Williams have previously done so.
Djokovic, who won gold at the Games against Carlos Alcaraz, is preparing for the US Open in a bid to claim a 25th grand slam title at Flushing Meadows.
The Serbian's win at Roland-Garros saw him become only the second player in the Open Era to have won all four grand slams, the gold medal at the Olympics and the ATP Tour Finals, along with Andre Agassi.
He also became the oldest player to secure a gold medal in either the men’s or women’s Singles at the Games, since the sport’s reinstatement as an Olympic event in 1988.
Djokovic has won three US Open titles across his illustrious career, with his success over Daniil Medvedev in 2023 the last time he won a grand slam.
That victory saw him move two ahead of Nadal as the player with the most grand slam titles, while also going four clear of the retired Federer in the process.
The trio once had a two-decade-long stranglehold on the men's game, but the current world number two is the last man standing this year.
And McEnroe, who lined up alongside Djokovic in a practice match against Alcaraz and Agassi on Thursday, believes the Serbian has already assumed the greatest of all time status.
"He's looking to sort of separate himself from Federer and Nadal, that's really is what it boils down to," said McEnroe.
"He seems to have already done that in a way. He's won the Olympics, won everything, won more than those guys.
"To me, you’d have to ask him, but it (more success) is gravy. He sort of put himself there already."
Bolt has admitted to being a fan of the energy and sassy attitude of the American sprinter, which he believes is good for the sport. Richardson has in recent times, however, failed to turn that energy into strong performances on the track.
There was plenty of enthusiasm surrounding Richardson earlier this year, following several impressive performances in the months of April and May. Among them was a 10.72 clocking in Florida, which was at the time the fastest for the season.
Heading into the Olympics, the American cast herself as the one that could bring an end to over a decade of Jamaican dominance of athletics. Heading into the Games, however, Richardson tested positive for marijuana, was suspended for a month, and missed the event where Jamaica swept all the podium spots in the 100m.
After that, came a much-publicised Diamond League meeting between the American and the Jamaican Olympic medallist, in Eugene, Oregon, which was framed along the lines of being an opportunity for Richardson to show what would have happened had she not been suspended for the Olympics. Things did not go to plan, however, as she finished in 9th place, with the Jamaicans once again sweeping the top three spots.
She followed that up with a second-place finish in Italy, and a fourth-place finish, in the 200m, at the Diamond League meet in Brussels. Off the track, the sprinter was also criticised for what many believed amounted to disrespect for American sprint legend Allyson Felix. Bolt believes, at this point, the young American needs to refocus.
“I would tell Sha’Carri to train harder and to be focused and not say too much…,” Bolt said in a recent interview with the New York Post.
“If you talk that big talk you have to back it up,” he added.
“So just train hard and focus on that and try to come back, do it and then talk about it.”
Richardson’s performances have split a vocal global track and field fanbase. Her most ardent fans have continued to express support for the struggling sprinter, but others have expressed disappointment at both her performances and recent outbursts. Many, particularly supporters of Jamaican track and field, found the American’s massive failure amusing given her pre-race antics, exuberant expression, and what they believe is disregard for their decorated Olympic medallists.
“Jamaicans were vexed because she was talking a lot of s–t before the actual race, it is just one of those things,” Bolt said of Richardson’s lopsided loss in Eugene, where Olympic champion Elaine Thompson clocked 10.54, the second-fastest time ever run over the distance.
“Jamaicans don’t like when people talk s–t about us because we are a very proud people. So, if you talk about us we are gonna want you to back it up. It definitely gave those women the extra push.”
On the night of October 5, 2019, Whyte ran the leadoff leg for Jamaica’s Women 4x100m team that was a runaway winner of the sprint relay final. Whyte was instrumental to the victory as she gave the team a strong start that put Jamaica in command early.
Whyte handed off to 100m champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, who put Jamaica further into the lead before Jonielle Smith extended the lead even farther before handing off to Shericka Jackson, who powered home well clear of the field.
Jamaica’s winning time of 41.44 was the third fastest by a Jamaican team and the seventh fastest in history. Silver medallists Great Britain clocked 41.85 while the United States won bronze in 42.10.
Nine months later, Whyte has yet to come to grips with the reality that she is a World Championships gold medallist. “The gold medal is still unbelievable,” she said. “That is why I am so eager for the Olympics because maybe if I can win another medal at that level it will feel more realistic.”
She was so focussed, she said, that she hardly remembers anything about the race.
“The last thing I remember before the race was waving when they were introducing the line-up and maybe that is why it’s so unbelievable but I just really wanted to show my ability and do my best,” she said. “I do watch the race now and then and I think it was a really good leadoff and I’m happy that I did so well.”
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt had previously announced that LaFond-Gadson would be honoured with the Dominica Honour Award during her visit to the island shortly after the Olympics. The formal recognition took place during the National Parade, where the Prime Minister addressed the nation, and all honorees were celebrated for their contributions to Dominica.
The Dominica Honour Award is presented annually during the Independence Day Rally to individuals who have significantly impacted the nation’s landscape. This year, LaFond-Gadson was one of 18 Dominicans and international honorees recognized. The award was presented by Dominica’s President, Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, in a ceremony that highlighted LaFond-Gadson’s exceptional achievements and the pride she has inspired across the nation.
Speaking to the media after receiving the award, LaFond-Gadson expressed that the honour was her “greatest achievement ever” and encouraged young Dominicans to pursue their dreams with dedication and passion.
The celebration of LaFond-Gadson’s accomplishments does not end with Sunday’s parade. A luncheon hosted by a private sector organization was scheduled for Monday in her honour, extending the nation’s gratitude for her contributions. Her recognition comes in addition to being named a Sports Ambassador two months ago, along with receiving a $400,000 gift and a land grant from the government.
Prime Minister Skerritt, in his address, acknowledged the immense pride that LaFond-Gadson has brought to Dominica, calling her achievements a source of inspiration for the entire nation. With her historic Olympic victory and her continued dedication to her country, Thea LaFond-Gadson has undoubtedly secured her place as a Dominican icon.
Miguel Gutierrez also struck for La Roja, who made it two wins from two in Group C at Stade de Bordeaux, where their opponents played over half of the game with 10 players following Edison Azcona's red card.
Santi Denia's side opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan at Parc des Princes on Wednesday, and the first goal of this contest was handed to them on a plate in the 24th minute.
Fermin ruthlessly pounced on Enrique Boesl's tame pass out of goal, with the Barcelona midfielder calmly slotting home.
The Dominican Republic levelled 13 minutes later through Angel Montes de Oca's free header, but they were reduced to 10 men just before half-time with Azcona dismissed for violent conduct after lashing out at Pau Cubarsi.
Spain capitalised on their numerical advantage through Alex Baena's deflected strike in the 55th minute before substitute Gutierrez sealed the points 15 minutes later by tapping into an empty net, with the goal eventually standing following a VAR review.
Data Debrief: La Roja roar into quarter-finals
Spain dominated large periods of the contest with 21 shots to their opponents' five and, playing the entire second half with an extra player, their superiority eventually told.
Silver medallists in Tokyo three years ago, La Roja have progressed from the group stage of consecutive Games for the first time since a run of three straight qualifications between 1992 and 2000.
The post-Usain Bolt Olympic era begun in difficult fashion for the Jamaica men’s team, with the dizzying heights of world record times and podium topping finishes seemingly, for now, well and truly in the past.
In the 100m, an event dominated by Bolt for the past three Olympics, no Jamaican was able to advance to the final for the first time in over two decades. Over double the distance, where Bolt also dominated for the last three editions, one Jamaican, Rasheed Dwyer, made it to the final but finished in 7th place.
In the 4x100m, where the country has won for the last two Olympics, after being stripped of a gold medal in 2008, the team finished fifth in the final. Despite the rapid descent being too much for some fans, who have made their grouses know via various social media platforms in recent weeks, Fraser-Pryce has called for an end to the criticism.
Having been part of the teams that dominated along with Bolt, the athlete has called for patience and appreciation.
“All the Jamaicans that are beating the men and cursing and leaving all the negative comments, you need to stop it,” Fraser-Pryce said, in the aftermath of being part of a gold-medal-winning 4x100m relay team.
“It takes a lot of guts and hard work year to year to compete, to come out here and to represent. A lot of persons are competing at these championships, some of them are going away without making the finals. We were in the finals, so we need to start celebrating the men because their time is coming.”
Duffy finished the three-discipline event in a time of 1 hour, 55 minutes, and 36 seconds to win gold ahead of Georgia Taylor-Brown of Great Britain and Katie Zaferes from the USA.
“I can’t quite believe it. Olympic Champion,” Duffy remarked on social media, as she became the first person from Bermuda to win an Olympic gold medal. The country had previously gotten on the medal podium through the exploits of Clarence Hill, a boxer who claimed bronze at the 1976 Olympics. Duffy has taken them to the very top.
Her winning gold also interestingly makes Bermuda, with a population of approximately 62,000 people, the smallest country to ever win an Olympic gold medal.
“I think the whole of Bermuda is going crazy, that’s what makes it so special.”
Duffy, who also won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2018, went into the Tokyo Games as the favourite to win gold and delivered.
“It’s been a heck of a lot of pressure, I would never recommend being an Olympic favourite but it’s all worth it now.”
The 24-year-old broke his own record of 6.24m from April by one centimetre, launching himself over the 6.25m on his third and final attempt on Monday.
His second consecutive gold medal was already secured long before that point, having cleared 6.00m, beating America's Sam Kendricks.
After celebrating his victory, Duplantis then beat the Olympic record of 6.03m set by Brazil's Thiago Braz in 2016 and continued his run.
The two-time world champion has now broken the world record on nine occasions.
He also became the first athlete to retain the pole vault title since America's Bob Richards in 1952 and 1956.
"I don't know how to put into words what I'm feeling," Duplantis said. "I feel so grateful for how tonight played out. I didn't let myself believe that I was Olympic champion until it was all done.
"I think it's been such a fight to show up and to be at our best and do it when it matters.
"I feel so grateful for having this come together, a little bit of luck on our side, and being able to walk away on top. It's just so special."
Having skipped the Six Nations earlier this year to focus on his preparations for the Paris Games, Dupont starred through France's campaign.
And he was equally as influential in Saturday's gold medal match as France overcame two-time defending champions Fiji 28-7, with Dupont scoring twice and setting up another try.
It marked France's first gold of their home Games.
"It is sensational. It is unbelievable. It is a big reward for us," said Dupont, who was introduced as a half-time substitute with the scores tied at 7-7 at the Stade de France.
"It is huge. We worked a lot for a lot of months and a lot of years – in some players' case – for this moment."
Dupont teed up Aaron Grandidier within 21 seconds of his introduction, before twice going over himself.
Grandidier was born in London but elected to represent France.
"I found out France had a system that allowed you a bit more time to break out on to the scene, so I was like, 'you know what, screw it, I've got nothing to lose, this is what I want to do'," he told BBC Sport.
"So I decided to chase it and pursue that dream."
Fiji had never previously before lost an Olympic match, while they conceded 20 points in a game for the first time.
A short off-season means a number of NBA stars may steer away from representing the USA in Japan, but Durant appears set to make himself available.
Durant, who helped his country to gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, will join Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green in the squad, according to The Athletic.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James ruled himself out of competing at the Olympics earlier this month, saying he would spend time promoting his new movie 'Space Jam: A New Legacy', which is scheduled to open in July.
Durant, 32, turned in the most productive Game 7 performance in NBA playoffs history on Saturday, but it was not enough to get the Brooklyn Nets through against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Brooklyn's 115-111 overtime loss in the Eastern Conference semi-finals decider saw the exhausted Nets give everything they had before the visitors prevailed in the end.
Durant scored a Game 7 record of 48 points but could not do it all as a Brooklyn team missing the injured Kyrie Irving did not have enough weapons in the end.
The 35-year-old became the USA's all-time leading scorer at the Olympics during their 122-87 victory over Brazil, surpassing Lisa Leslie's tally of 488.
Despite such an achievement, Durant played down its enormity, stating that another player will likely surpass it in the future and another gold medal is what he is truly focused on.
"Records are meant to be broken, so somebody will come along and do the same to me," Durant said.
"My focus is on trying to win this gold."
LeBron James was full of praise for Durant, and the NBA's record points-scorer believes there is more still to come.
"He's incredible. He was born to play ball and he's simply incredible," James said.
"I'm happy for him. Congratulations to him. I'm super proud of him. And he's got more to go."
James had to go off to receive treatment during the third quarter after he took an elbow to the face from Georginho De Paula but he eased any concerns after the match, stating that he was fine and will be ready for the semi-final.
He said: "I'm all right. Got hit with an inadvertent elbow around the eye."
Meanwhile, despite Team USA being on the cusp of a fourth straight gold, Jayson Tatum, a champion in Tokyo, warned that the one-off nature of the knockout competition meant there was no room for complacency or easing up.
Tatum said: "Everybody expects us to win. But you don't take things for granted, right? Canada lost earlier. It's a different game. It's not like the playoffs, where it's a series.
"We've got one game and a lot of (stuff) can happen in one game, especially over here."
Team USA will face Nikola Jokic's Serbia in the semi-finals, a side they have already beaten in the group stages.
He added 11 points for Team USA in just 21 minutes, surpassing Lisa Leslie's tally of 488 to make him the top-scorer of any American basketball player, male or female, at the Games.
Joel Embiid, greeted by a chorus of boos from the French fans after passing on the chance to play for their national team, was the star though, as he got 14 points and seven rebounds in the first half to set the USA on their way to victory.
LeBron James also orchestrated the game, for 12 minutes at least, making snapshot passes as he piled up nine assists and 12 points. However, his game came to an early end when he took an elbow to the face from Georginho De Paula.
Devin Booker top scored for the USA with 18 points as they shared the load, and though Bruno Caboclo got 24 points for Brazil, he could not inspire a shock upset against the reigning champions.
Steve Kerr's team are chasing a fifth consecutive gold medal but will have to face Serbia, who they beat in their competition opener, for a place in the final.
The Australian duo came from a set down to win on Court Philippe Chatrier in just over two hours, emerging 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-1) 10-8 victors at Roland-Garros.
Krajicek and Ram would start well, winning a break point in the sixth game, only for their Australian opponents to respond instantly to level the encounter at 4-4.
With both pairs holding their serve for the remainder, a tie-break would decide who would take the first set, with the Americans able to obtain the early advantage.
Krajicek and Ram found another early break in the second, but again saw their lead vanish as Ebden and Peers rallied to win three consecutive games.
The Australian's took the game to a second tie-break, producing some stunning tennis along the way as the encounter went the distance in the French capital.
Ebden and Peers would carry their momentum into the decider, and despite missing four gold medal points, were able to hold on to secure the triumph.
Data Debrief: Australia strike gold at Roland-Garros
Ebden and Peers showed grit and determination worthy of winning a gold medal, coming from a set down to scoop the top prize.
The Australian's impressed on serve, scoring nine aces compared to Krajicek and Ram's six, winning 73% of their first-serve points.
