Representing one’s nation at the Olympics is the pinnacle of an athlete’s career. It allows them to perform on the global stage and etch their names in the history of the sporting world forever. However, unlike any other sporting moment, the IOC doesn’t give prize money for winning medals. Those medals represent an indescribable journey. For some, it’s the ultimate reward of a lifetime, while for others, it’s more like erasing the disappointment of missing out on their previous attempts. Novak Djokovic falls into the latter!

Although the IOC doesn’t give any prize money, several countries, at times, reward athletes with medal bonuses. This year, Hong Kong ($768,000) and Singapore ($745,000) top the list in offering the highest payouts for their Olympic medalists. According to multiple reports, the US has announced $37,500 for all its gold medalists. Carlos Alcaraz‘s Spain ranks seventh in the list, with $102,000 announced as the prize money for all the Spanish gold medalists. How much has Serbia announced? Well, Serbia hasn’t announced any cash prize (officially). Does Djoko need any prize money anyway?

Djokovic has already won $184,265,269 as overall prize money in his career so far. All he wants now is to accomplish his dream of winning a Career Golden Slam by beating Alcaraz in the finals of the singles event of the Paris Olympics on Sunday (August 4). Only four tennis players have managed to do that. Will Djokovic win the rematch of this year’s Wimbledon final?

Well, the road to that incredible milestone certainly isn’t a cakewalk! The 21-year-old Spaniard is currently on a 12-match winning streak, and he has already won the French Open and Wimbledon. This is Alcaraz’s first Olympics and Djokovic’s fifth. Alcaraz is the youngest man to reach an Olympic final in singles since 1904, while the Serb is the oldest man to ever reach the final. Despite multiple appearances, the Djoker has failed to land a gold medal for his nation at this mega event.

His best record was winning the bronze medal in the singles event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “[I’m] very happy. I mean, to win any medal in the Olympics is a huge achievement for any athlete I think,” said Djokovic. However, he was in tears after his shocking early exit from the Rio Olympics in 2016. His mother said, “He felt he had disappointed the people of Serbia.” How does he feel about reaching the finals in Paris?

“This dream is long-lived and fought for” – Novak Djokovic statement after making it to the finals at the Paris Olympics

This is perhaps Djokovic’s last chance to clinch a gold medal for his nation at the Olympic Games. However, he doesn’t consider himself a favorite in this final. He thinks Alcaraz has already proven himself as one of the best players in the world. Does it dampen his spirits, though? No, the Serb had already said previously, “Of course winning a gold medal or winning any medal for my country is a great wish and desire. It is one of [my] greatest priorities and goals for [this] season, there is no secret about that.”

After winning his SF match against Lorenzo Musetti, he tweeted, “This dream is long-lived and fought for. I wanted to compete in the finals of the Olympic games for such a long time. Representing my country at a global event is a huge privilege and honor that I cherish. Serbia will have a medal on Sunday!!! Ideeeemooooo,” Djokovic hasn’t been on the podium of the Olympics since 2008. He finished fourth in the 2012 London Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Can he fulfill his dream this time around in the ‘City of Lights‘? Well, he’s leveled at 3-3 in the H2H against the young Spaniard. A win on Sunday against the in-form Alcaraz will not be a win but a statement to the rest of the world! Novak Djokovic hasn’t won a title so far this season, so the Nole army is now keeping their fingers crossed!