Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic said tonight that the gold medal he won at the Olympic Games in Paris is the greatest sporting result he has achieved in his career.
"Without false modesty, this is the biggest sporting success I've ever had in my career and I'm proud to wear this gold for Serbia," Djokovic told Radio-Television Serbia on the balcony of the Old Palace in Belgrade, where the Serbian Olympians are being welcomed tonight.
He added that it was a long-awaited gold, after bronze at the Beijing Games in 2008 and appearances at the Games in London, Rio and Tokyo, where he did not advance beyond the semi-finals.
"I'm 37 years old, I entered this Olympics without a trophy in the season, I had an injury, many questioned the quality of tennis I played in the last few months and few people put me in the role of favorite, but secretly I believed, because I knew that this might be the last chance for me to win the gold," Djokovic said.
Speaking about tonight's reception on the balcony, he said that he had the privilege of being there several times in his career, but that this one was "special".
"Somehow, it's nicer when you celebrate Olympic medals with the best Serbian athletes, who gave their hearts for Serbia, who constantly fight and want to make the people and the nation happy," said the Serbian tennis player.
He added that, on behalf of all athletes, he is grateful to everyone who came to tonight's reception.
"I said that they probably don't realize how much they give us the wind at our backs, how much they inspire us to be better people and athletes. And when it's most difficult, we feel their encouragement, their energy, their support. These are moments that will be remembered for a lifetime, for me, it's a dream come true every time I step on this terrace next to top athletes from Serbia, with so many people on the streets," said Djokovic.
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