Rafael Nadal urged Carlos Alcaraz to reflect on his success and treasure his Olympic silver medal, despite a gut-wrenching defeat to Novak Djokovic on Sunday.

Djokovic overcame Alcaraz 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) at Roland-Garros, securing the top prize at the Games on the clay courts in Paris.

The 21-year-old, who was denied the Olympic title to go with this year's French Open and Wimbledon crowns, was reduced to tears at the conclusion in the French capital.

Yet Nadal, who Alcaraz partnered in the men's doubles competition at the Olympics this year, says his fellow Spaniard will soon understand the feats of his achievement.

"Carlos, although I know that today is a difficult day, value a medal that is very important for the entire country and you will see, over time, that it is for you too," Nadal wrote on social media platform X.

"Thank you for this incredible week and for the medal that you [gave] to Spanish sport."

Djokovic is only the second player in the Open Era to win all four grand slams, the gold medal at the Olympics and the ATP Tour Finals, along with Andre Agassi.

At 37 years and 74 days, the Serbian is also the oldest player to secure gold in either the men's or women's singles at the Olympics, since the sport returned as an event at the 1988 Games.

This victory also somewhat exacted revenge after losing out to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final last month, while sealing a long-awaited dream of gold at his fifth Games for Serbia.

Novak Djokovic cut an emotional figure after putting "everything on the line" to secure gold at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.

The 24-time major champion overcame Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) at Roland-Garros, securing the top prize at the Games for the first time in his career.

Djokovic is only the second player in the Open Era to win all four grand slams, the gold medal at the Olympics and the ATP Tour Finals, along with Andre Agassi.

At 37 years and 74 days, the Serbian is also the oldest player to secure gold in either the men's or women's singles at the Olympics, since the sport returned as an event at the 1988 Games.

Having settled for bronze in Beijing 16 years ago, Djokovic could not believe he had finally sealed a long-awaited dream.

"We almost played three hours in two sets. It was an incredible battle," the 37-year-old said after avenging his Wimbledon final defeat to Alcaraz last month.

"I believed that I could win, but to actually win it; it's unbelievable. He keeps on coming back and keeps on asking me to play my best tennis. 

"My first set I started well, I had chances, he had chances as well. It was probably fair to end both sets in a tiebreak. When it mattered I came up with big shots and big moments.

"I put my heart, my body, my soul, my family, my everything on the line here to win the Olympic gold at the age of 37.

"The pride to play for Serbia. Carlos and Rafa [Nadal] love to play for Spain, Andy [Murray] for Britain, Roger [Federer] for Switzerland. You just see the reactions when they win. It's special. It's different."

Alcaraz battled past Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, having also secured French Open glory at the same venue earlier this year.

However, a final stretch proved too far for the Spaniard.

"The truth is it was a very complicated game. Three hours of phenomenal fighting," a downbeat Alcaraz said.

"It's never easy. There were tough moments for me in the tiebreak and I just couldn't get my level up. It's very painful to lose today."

Novak Djokovic finally got his hands on an Olympic gold medal as he came through two tie-breaks to beat Carlos Alcaraz at Roland-Garros.

In a match that lasted almost three hours, the 24-time grand slam champion edged a thrilling contest 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) in the French capital. 

In a repeat of their Wimbledon showdown last month, the pair traded blows in the opening games as they tried to gain the early advantage. 

Alcaraz would be the first to blink, handing Djokovic three chances to break in the third game, but the Serb was unable to grasp that opportunity. 

The 21-year-old would then miss three chances to take the lead himself in the following game as the gripping contest continued to ebb and flow on Court Philippe-Chatrier. 

In the ninth game, Djokovic saved five break points, to gain the momentum heading into the first-set tie-break where he would emerge the victor. 

The second set told a similar story to the first, with Alcaraz squandering a break of serve in the third game, with both holding their serves.

And as he did in the first, Djokovic showcased all of his experience, claiming the triumph with a powerful forehand.

Djokovic finally achieves the full set

Having claimed bronze at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Djokovic now has that gold medal that has proved elusive over the past 16 years. 

The Serb showed in the first set his powers of recovery to save all eight of the break points he faced, finally getting one over his recent kryptonite on the court. 

At 37 years and 74 days, Djokovic is the oldest player to secure a gold medal in either the men's or women's singles at the Olympics.

Djokovic's victory also saw him become the fourth player to defeat multiple grand slam champions on route to winning the gold medal in the men's singles at the Olympics, after Nicolas Massu (2004), Rafael Nadal (2008) and Andy Murray (2012).

He is now 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.

Alcaraz down, but certainly not out

For Alcaraz, it was yet another impressive showing, but even he was unable to stand in the way of Djokovic claiming the prize he craved the most. 

Having levelled the second-set tie-break at 3-3, the Spaniard looked the favourite to go on and take it to a decider, but you can never count out a man who has 24 grand slam titles to his name. 

Alcaraz missed the opportunity to become only the second player to defeat Djokovic in ATP-level event finals on grass and clay courts, with many hoping to see another battle between two of tennis' brightest stars in the future. 

Despite the defeat, he is still the only player to claim multiple ATP top-five wins on each of clay, grass and hard court in consecutive years. John McEnroe (1984) is the only other player to achieve the feat in a single season. 

Novak Djokovic was relieved to end his Olympic semi-final hoodoo and finally reach the singles final at the Games for the first time.

The 24-time major champion defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-2 to ensure he would walk away from Roland-Garros with a medal.

Djokovic will now face number two seed Carlos Alcaraz in a rematch of last month's Wimbledon final.

The 37-year-old was aware of the enormity of the achievement in going one step further, having suffered semi-final losses to Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev in three previous Olympic semi-finals, though he did claim bronze at the Beijing Games in 2008.

"I have been waiting for this for almost 20 years," Djokovic said in his on-court interview.

"I've played four Olympic Games, this is my fifth and '’ve never passed the semi-finals. I lost three semi-finals in my first four Olympic Games.

"I managed to overcome this big hurdle. I must be honest and say that I was thinking about all the semi-finals that I lost."

The Serbian had to overcome injury concerns after his quarter-final match against Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Djokovic was more encouraged by his mental strength against an opponent that has made great strides on the ATP Tour this season in Musetti.

"I just tried to be in the present moment. I played against a player who is in great form and really came out firing from both ends," Djokovic added.

"I just tried to maintain the focus and do what I have to do."

Sunday's final between Djokovic and Alcaraz will be the seventh meeting between the pair, with the head-to-head currently at three apiece.

Carlos Alcaraz is relishing what will be a "special moment" in his already remarkable career as he prepares for an Olympic gold medal match.

Alcaraz defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-1 6-1 on Friday to take his place in the final of the men's singles, which will take place at Roland-Garros on Sunday.

And standing in the way of the Spaniard, who won the French Open earlier this year, and a gold medal is 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic.

Like Alcaraz, the 37-year-old Djokovic is into his maiden final at the Games, having previously claimed bronze in 2008.

Alcaraz, who beat Djokovic in the final of Wimbledon in July, would be the youngest-ever champion of the men's singles should he triumph. He is the second-youngest male to have made it into a singles final at the Games, after Robert LeRoy in 1904.

"It's going to be a really special moment for me, in my life, in my career, so I'm going to try and enjoy this moment, because it’s going to be really difficult," Alcaraz said.

"It's going to be difficult, but it’s going to be special.

"I will try to be focused on myself and try not to hear all this, all the fans, all the people that say 'I'm going to win'.

"I just want to give 100% my best tennis and hopefully I reach my goal to get the gold."

Auger-Aliassime, meanwhile, conceded he was simply second best.

He said: "I just couldn't find a way to be comfortable in any pattern, any position.

"Whether it was trying to dominate the forehand cross-court or change of direction, the forehand inside-out, the backhand side.

"Every aspect. The movement. The defence. I was dominated.

"He's improved a lot, every time we've played. I don't have the solutions right now."

Auger-Aliassime swiftly shrugged off his disappointment by winning the bronze medal match alongside Gabriela Dabrowski in the mixed doubles.

Their success against Dutch pair Wesley Koolhof and Demi Schuurs marked Canada's first medal in the mixed doubles.

Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the men's singles at the Paris Olympics.

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.

Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the Olympic Games final with a dominant straight-sets win over Felix Auger-Aliassime on Friday.

The Spaniard wasted no time booking his place in the gold-medal match, cruising through 6-1 6-1 in just 76 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Auger-Aliassime won the first game on his serve, but it was all one-way traffic after that, as Alcaraz won the next six in a row to take the first set in just 40 minutes.

Like in the first, the Canadian won his opening service game in the second set, but he had no answers as Alcaraz produced one of his best performances of the season.

He did not face a single break point, winning the last five games in a row as he successfully earned two breaks of his own, dragging Auger-Aliassime from corner to corner with dynamic play.

Alcaraz, who has already won the French Open and Wimbledon this year, is now guaranteed a medal, and he will face either Novak Djokovic or Lorenzo Musetti in the showpiece.

Data Debrief: Is there any stopping Alcaraz?

It has already been a banner year for the 21-year-old, with two grand slams under his belt, and if he clinches gold, he will become just the second player alongside Rafael Nadal (2008) to win the French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics in the same year.

He is also the second-youngest men's singles finalist at the Olympic Games in tennis history, older only than Robert LeRoy in St. Louis 1904, and the youngest since tennis returned to the Olympics schedule in 1988. 

Alcaraz has won each of his last 12 matches and is now just one match away from writing even more history. 

Carlos Alcaraz had to dig deep to book his place in the Olympic Games semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Tommy Paul.

The Spaniard looked to be heading for a decider until a brilliant second-set comeback saw him win 6-3 7-6 (9-7) on Court Philippe Chatrier in two hours and one minute.

Alcaraz was looking to quickly put his disappointing doubles exit with Rafael Nadal behind him and successfully defended two break points in the opening game.

While Paul matched him stride for stride during the opening stages, the Spaniard got the all-important break in game six to edge in front before taking the first set.

His momentum soon faltered though, as the American raced into a 3-0 lead in the second and looked to be cruising.

Alcaraz's fighting spirit soon came to the fore as he got another vital break during a three-game winning run to level the score and eventually, force a tie-break.

The 21-year-old then rounded off an incredible comeback by saving a set point during the tie-break and winning the final three points.

He will play either Norway's Casper Ruud or Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-finals.

Data Debrief: Alcaraz stays on track for gold

Alcaraz is the fourth-youngest player to reach the men's singles semi-finals at the Olympics since 1988 (21 years and 83 days), and the youngest since Novak Djokovic in Beijing 2008.

He has now won his last 11 matches on the bounce, winning each of the last four in straight sets.

Alcaraz beat Paul en route to his Wimbledon title last month, and he will be hoping that is a good omen as he chases a gold medal in his debut Olympics. 

Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram stunned gold medal favourites Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal to reach the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics. 

In what could be Nadal's final appearance at Roland-Garros, the American duo showed no mercy, prevailing in straight sets 6-2 6-4 to advance to the next round. 

After beating Roman Safiullin to reach the quarter-finals of the singles earlier that day, Alcaraz started slowly as the Spanish pair found themselves immediately behind. 

Nadal and Alcaraz would close the gap to 3-2, but their American opponents would continue their dominance, taking the next three games to see out the first set. 

The Spaniards started much better in the second, with the pairs trading blows and each holding their own serve. 

But the decisive break would come in the seventh game, with Krajicek and Ram going to within two games of producing an unlikely upset against the pre-tournament favourites. 

The Spaniards then missed two break points to take the game to 5-5, with the Americans missing two match points of their own in a thrilling final set. 

But it was Krajicek and Ram who would emerge victorious, dumping out Nadal in what may be his last dance on the court. 

They will face Czech Republic duo Adam Pavlsek and Thomas Machac for a place in the final on Saturday. 

Data Debrief: Nadalcaraz no match for American duo

The fairytale ending for Nadal has come to an end, but it took an impressive display from Krajicek and Ram to do so.

The Americans won 25 of their 57 return points compared to Nadal and Alcaraz's 19, and converted all three of their break points. 

Carlos Alcaraz produced another stunning display as he stormed past Roman Safiullin in straight sets to book a place in the quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics.

The Spaniard, who overcame fitness concerns in his win over Tallon Griekspoor in the last round, dominated on Court Suzanne Lenglen to win 6-4 6-2 in an hour and a half.

Alcaraz made his intent clear from the start, breaking Safiullin twice in the opening three games to race into the lead.

The Russian regained his footing shortly after to make it a more even affair, but he managed just one break as Alcaraz cruised through the first set.

The 21-year-old made a similar start in the second and twice threatened to take a three-game advantage over his opponent, but Safiullin successfully defended two break points to make it 3-2.

He could not do the same on his next serve though, and Alcaraz won the last three games in a row to set up a meeting with the United States' Tommy Paul in the last eight.

Data Debrief: Just no stopping Alcaraz

Alcaraz has reached the quarter-finals in every high-profile tournament he has entered, winning the last two such events at the French Open (at Roland-Garros) and Wimbledon.

He is also the youngest player to make the men's singles quarter-finals at the Olympics since Novak Djokovic in Beijing 2008.

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz survived a scare to keep their quest for gold alive as they advanced to the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics. 

The Spanish duo were pushed all the way by Dutch pairing Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof, but emerged 6-4 6-6 (2-7) 10-2 victors on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

Nadal exited the singles following a defeat to long-time rival Novak Djokovic, but started impressively as the pairs exchanged rallies in the opening exchanges.

But a break in the seventh game for the Spaniards saw them assume full control of the first set, with Alcaraz serving out the final game to hold the early advantage. 

However, Griekspoor and Koolhof would respond, with the Dutch pair able to dominate a second-set tiebreak, taking the encounter to an exciting conclusion. 

But Nadal and Alcaraz would roar to victory, securing their passage to the next stage in the deciding third set after Griekspoor slammed an Alcaraz serve into the net. 

Next up for the all-star Spanish duo is a clash with fourth-seeded Americans Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek.

Data Debrief: Nadalcaraz continue to shine

The combination of youth and experience worked to its full effect at Roland-Garros, with Nadal and Alcaraz once again showing their gold medal credentials. 

Nadal and Alcaraz saved all three of the break points they faced, ending the contest by winning 81% of their first serve points. 

Carlos Alcaraz admitted to struggling with a groin injury but shrugged off any concerns after his second-round win over Tallon Griekspoor at the Olympics.

The Spaniard won in straight sets, 6-1 7-6 (7-3), but had to take a medical timeout partway through the second to receive treatment.

After a comfortable first set, Alcaraz was then pushed all the way to make it into the third round in the men's singles, while he is also competing in the men's doubles with Rafael Nadal.

Alcaraz was quick to downplay the injury, noting how he has not let it affect him in recent tournaments, including his Wimbledon win earlier this month.

"It's a problem I've been having since the last few tournaments and I have to pay special attention to that area," Alcaraz said after the match.

"Tennis players have a very demanding schedule, you play more matches and problems arise, but the good thing is that I know how to deal with those discomforts and how to recover.

"It's an area where I've been feeling it for several months, but I've been able to play perfectly in the last few tournaments and this one will be no different."

Alcaraz and Nadal will play Netherlands' Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof in doubles on Tuesday before the 21-year-old's third-round meeting with Roman Safiullin later in the week. 

Carlos Alcaraz dug deep to overcome Tallon Griekspoor in the second round at the Paris Olympic Games.

The reigning French Open champion was pushed all the way in his straight-sets victory, getting a 6-1 7-6 (7-3) win in one hour and 48 minutes.

It looked like it was going to be another routine match for the Spaniard at Roland-Garros as he raced into a 3-0 lead in the first set, and even after Griekspoor pulled one back, Alcaraz's aggressive approach saw him take the lead.

The Dutchman found his fight in the second, though, with the players matching each other stride for stride. Griekspoor threatened to take the set with a break, but Alcaraz successfully defended it before forcing a tie-break.

Alcaraz then turned on the style when he needed it most, winning the last four points in a row to book his place in the next round, where he will face Roman Safiullin.

Data Debrief: Alcaraz gets the job done

Unlike his opening round, when he cruised through with a 6-3 6-1 victory over Lebanon's Hady Habib, Alcaraz was made to work hard for this victory.

Despite the stern test, Alcaraz did not drop a single service game, successfully saving two break points.

He is back in action on Tuesday when he will once again pair up with Rafael Nadal in the men's doubles. 

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal did not disappoint in their much-anticipated doubles debut as they battled through to the second round of the Paris Olympic Games.

The Spaniards saw off Argentinian pair Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in straight sets 7-6 (6-4) 6-4 in one hour and 49 minutes on Saturday.

Alcaraz, who began the day with a victory in his singles debut, made a nervy start as he dropped his first serve, but Nadal soon helped to settle the nerves.

They got the vital break in the next game, though there was little to separate the teams after that with a tie-break necessary to put Alcaraz and Nadal in front.

Gonzalez and Molteni rallied in the second set, racing into a 3-0 lead, but could not prevent a fight back as Alcaraz and Nadal won the next three games.

After another vital break for the Spaniards at 4-4, Nadal then served out the match to set up a meeting with either Dutch pair Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof or Marton Fucsovics and Fabian Marozsan of Hungary.

Data Debrief: Living up to expectations

It is the match-up that everybody was waiting for at the Olympics, and despite a sluggish start, Alcaraz and Nadal soon turned on the style.

They hit 17 winners, and even though Alcaraz's first service game was not his usual best, they went on to win 46 of their 64 service points (72%).

Carlos Alcaraz raced into the second round of the singles tournament at the Paris Olympic Games, beating Lebanon's Hady Habib 6-3 6-1.

The Spaniard – who captured his fourth grand slam title at Wimbledon earlier this month – needed just one hour and 12 minutes to overcome Habib, who is ranked 275th in the world by the ATP.

Alcaraz had to save break point in the very first game but immediately set about putting Habib under pressure from there, getting a quickfire break to take control of the opener.

Habib hit just three winners throughout the first set, with 16 unforced errors costing him as Alcaraz served with supreme confidence, only dropping one point in a span of six games on his own serve.

Another break in the first game of the second set had Alcaraz truly in charge, and he gave nothing away from then on as he eased to victory.

He will face Britain's Cameron Norrie or the Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor in the second round, with the duo yet to face off due to rain suspending play on the outside courts.

Data Debrief: Alcaraz goes from strength to strength

Returning to the scene of last month's French Open triumph, Alcaraz was barely troubled as he improved his record at clay-court events to 12-3 for the year.

He was far too good for Habib on Saturday, slamming 26 winners to his opponents' five and causing problems whenever he was able to get to the net, where he won 13 of 16 points on approach (81%).

He will return to the court to partner Rafael Nadal in the doubles later on Sunday, versus Argentine duo Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.