Should both players win their semi-final matches, they're set to face off in the Olympic men's singles final. Alcaraz is scheduled to play against Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime at 12:30pm on Friday, while Djokovic will take on Italy's Lorenzo Musetti later in the day at 6pm.
Former Serbian tennis player Viktor Troicki believes his fellow countryman has the focus and peace of mind to secure the first Olympic gold medal of his illustrious career. Speaking to Clay magazine, Troicki discussed how broken Djokovic was after his defeat at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and noted a significant shift in his attitude this year. He said: "Physically and mentally, Novak was destroyed [after defeat in Tokyo]. Physically he couldn’t [do] anymore. Emotionally he got killed after the match. He was really close in Tokyo, you know, making it to the final stages and probably going for the gold, but it didn’t happen in the end."
Troicki claims Djokovic looks composed ahead of his semi-final match. The 38-year-old added: "I don't think this time he feels such big pressure like he did in Tokyo. Here it's different because during all this year, and also last year, he was talking about Olympics, and that the gold medal was his biggest goal.
"He's a different player here. He's really motivated and you can see the difference on the court now. I think here in Paris he's more relaxed, more focused on the things he needs to do."
Troicki also noted that Djokovic has "nothing left to prove" even if the 37-year-old doesn't secure a medal in Paris, as he has won it all in the sport. He said: "In tennis, we all know that the top of the mountain is the Grand Slams. Being number one. That is something in tennis, like the World Cup or the Champions League in football."