A puzzle finally completed

Reward, tradition and heritage

They'll never forget their 2024 trip to the American capital. A resurgent Paula Badosa won her first title in over two years in Washington, whilst Sebastian Korda matched his father Petr, the 1992 champion, by ruling in DC.

Badosa, who fell outside the Top 100 last season due to a back stress fracture, earned a fourth career title with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 scoreline facing Czech Marie Bouzkova.“It means a lot… One year ago I was on the couch,“ said Badosa. “So it's a big difference now. Now I'm an athlete again.“ 

Over to Korda, the American launches to a career-high No.18 after being crowned champion at an event he'd visit during his dad's playing days. A 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 comeback over Italian prodigy Flavio Cobolli launched the towering 24-year-old, who won 52 of 54 service games all week, to his second title.

“It's pretty emotional. I cried a little bit," revealed Korda. "So many times I've practiced or played on centre court here. Get to see my dad in '92 always right across from where you sit down. It's pretty cool to finally put my name up there, as well.“

Djokovic lands his ultimate prize

Earlier on Sunday, Novak Djokovic knelt down on the Court Philippe-Chatrier, shaking, in tears, having earned the one last remaining prize he craved.

The 37-year-old hadn't won a title in 2024, had right knee surgery on June 5th and somehow the 24-time Grand Slam champion finally clinched Olympic gold at his fifth Games in Paris.

The Serbian produced a defiant and exhilarating performance 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in another instalment of his generational battle with Carlos Alcaraz.

“I put my heart, my soul, my body, my family, my everything on the line to win Olympic gold at age 37. I finally did it,“ said Djokovic.

“Everything about this is special, but most of all it is my country. It’s my pride to play for Serbia. I know Carlos and Rafa (Nadal), they love to play for Spain. Andy (Murray) loved to play for Great Britain. Roger (Federer) for Switzerland… You saw the reactions of all these guys when they win. It’s something special.”

Djokovic's elusive gold medal was a 16-year tale of true heartbreak after securing bronze at Beijing 2008. Fourth placed spots at London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 sandwiched a devastating first-round loss at Rio 2016 at the hands of Juan Martin del Potro.

Now the fiercely patriotic Serbian has his cherished gold, he joins more esteemed company. He's the oldest player to complete the singles career 'Golden Slam' – all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold in singles – alongside Steffi Graf (1988 Olympic champion), Andre Agassi (1996), Rafael Nadal (2008) and Serena Williams (2012).

In his first ever Olympics, Alcaraz dazzled in doubles alongside his idol Nadal, however, he came up just short in another compelling clash with Djokovic.

”I’m really disappointed but honestly, I’m going to leave the court with my head really high,” said the Roland-Garros champion. ”I gave everything that I had fighting for Spain. It was everything to me so I’m proud the way that I played today.”

Djokovic and Alcaraz were joined on the podium by in-form Lorenzo Musetti, who claimed the bronze medal. Musetti's 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 victory over Felix Auger Aliassime hailed Italy's first Olympic tennis medal since 1924.

Zheng enters warrior mode for glory

On Saturday, Zheng Qinwen stood centre of the podium as a gold medallist.

The No.6 seed defeated Croatia's Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 to earn China's maiden medal of any colour in women's singles history at the Games.

The 21-year-old had battled through consecutive three-hour tussles with Emma Navarro, saving match point along the way, and former world No.1 Angelique Kerber – in her final professional match. All of that before Zheng toppled top seed Iga Swiatek 6-2, 7-5 in the semi-finals, snapping the Roland-Garros winner's 20-match winning run on clay.

Swiatek did recover to join podium proceedings. The world No.1 dominated Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-2, 6-1 for the bronze medal.

Italy, Australia and Czech Republic double up

What an incredible few months for Jasmine Paolini. A singles runner-up at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon with luminous, energetic displays, the 28-year-old has now secured Italy's first ever tennis gold medal alongside Sara Errani in the doubles.

The Roland-Garros finalists reeled in Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider 2-6, 6-1, [10-7] for another memorable moment on the terre battue in Paris. Spanish duo Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes Tormo collected bronze medals.

Over to the men's doubles, Australians Matt Ebden and John Peers tasted gold success, taking down Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the final. In terms of Bronze, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul ensured another American medal.

In the mixed doubles, Czechs Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac took home gold at the expense of Chinese pairing Wang Xinyu with Zhang Zhizhen. Canadians Gabriela Dabrowski and Auger-Aliassime left the Roland-Garros grounds with bronze.