Novak Djokovic on Sunday became the first tennis player in a dozen years, male or female, to complete a tennis “Golden Slam,” winning all four major annual tournaments and an Olympic gold medal.

The 37-year-old Serb, considered by many the greatest male tennis player in history, defeated the young Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz to win the gold at the Paris Olympics.

Many Catholics took note of the fact that an elated Djokovic made the sign of the cross several times after winning the match — but you may also have noticed that he did the sign of the cross from right to left, rather than the typical Catholic left to right.

Djokovic is a Serbian Orthodox Christian. The sign of the cross is rich with meaning for all Christians, including Catholics, but the Orthodox practice, which is arguably more ancient, adds additional levels of meaning.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the very earliest Christian practice appears to be the tracing of the sign of the cross of one’s forehead, which later evolved into the practice of making a sign of the cross across a larger portion of the body. St. Basil (329–379) wrote that the apostles “taught us to mark with the sign of the cross those who put their hope in the Lord.”

When Catholics do the sign of the cross today, they cross themselves with their hand starting at the top, going down, and then from left to right. When Orthodox Christians do the sign of the cross, they start at the top, go down, and then from right to left.

Many Orthodox sources say part of the reason that the sign of the cross is done in this direction is because during the Orthodox Divine Liturgy — the equivalent of the Mass — the Orthodox priest does the sign of the cross from left to right, facing the people, who copy his movements in mirror image. That said, the exact reasons for the differences are ancient and not entirely clear even to the Orthodox themselves.

There’s another level of meaning in the Orthodox sign of the cross, though, that is more readily documented. The Orthodox hold their hand with the index and middle fingers and thumb together, a symbol of the three persons of the Holy Trinity — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — together as one God. The two fingers, ring and pinky, that remain down symbolize the two natures of Jesus: fully human and fully divine.

Djokovic’s Christian history

Djokovic was brought up in the Serbian Orthodox Church, which claims the majority of the country’s citizens and several million members worldwide. He grew up during a tumultuous time in the region and survived the wars between the Yugoslavian states.

In 2011, Djokovic was awarded the Serbian Orthodox Church’s highest honor “for his active love toward Mother Church, particularly fervent and persistent helping [of] the Serbian people and the sanctuaries of our Holy Church.”

He has donated several million dollars to the Serbian public health system and to charities run by the Serbian Orthodox Church.

“This is the most important title of my life, because before being an athlete, I am an Orthodox Christian,” he said upon receiving the award.

Despite Djokovic’s frequent displays of a cross necklace, performance of the sign of the cross, and talk of God, a 2015 biography of Djokovic opined that “[i]t would wrong to suggest that he is devoutly religious, but the ritualistic role the church plays in the life of Serbia is sufficiently strong that it is very much a part of his life.”

Still, the tennis champ has shown himself to be a person animated by love of neighbor. He runs the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which primarily focuses on rebuilding preschools and supporting teachers and parents of young schoolchildren. And in 2017, he opened a restaurant in Serbia that provides free food to the homeless.

Novak Djokovic was overcome with emotion after winning Olympic gold in the men’s singles tennis at the Paris Games to complete a career dream and join one of the sport’s most exclusive clubs. Djokovic’s opponent Carlos Alcaraz was left in tears after going down to to the 24-time grand slam champion 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) in a pulsating gold medal match at Roland Garros.

They were shattering scenes for the 21-year-old Spaniard, who gave his all in one of the highest quality and closely fought men’s Olympic Games finals in recent memory. But it was Djokovic who came up clutch when it mattered most after finding another gear in both the first and second set tiebreaks to finally clinch the one missing piece from his extraordinary trophy cabinet.

The 37-year-old described winning Olympics gold as “probably the biggest sporting success” he’s achieved and “most special feeling”. And victory saw Djokovic join Serena Williams – who was watching in the stands – Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf as one of only five players to win all four slams and Olympic singles gold.

“I thought carrying the flag at the opening ceremony for my country at the 2012 Olympics was the best feeling an athlete could have until today,” Djokovic said afterwards. “Now at the age of 37 and facing a 21-year-old who is probably the best player in the world right now, winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back, I can say that this is probably the biggest sporting success I have ever had.”

Many would have been forgiven for thinking this might be Djokovic’s final Olympics, having seen his great rival Nadal farewell Roland Garros already this year. But in a bombshell announcement after his victory in the Olympics final, Djokovic said he wanted to try and defend his title at the Los Angeles Games in four years – when the Serb will be 41.

“I still want to play in Los Angeles,” he said after the match. “I enjoy playing for my country and the Olympic Games particularly and Davis Cup, being part of the team.” If anyone can defy what most consider possible it’s Djokovic, who has done so time and again on his way to just about every record in the sport.

The Serb only recently underwent surgery for a torn meniscus before the French Open, only to bounce back as a Wimbledon finalist and Olympic winner within two months, and he’s still chasing a 25th major singles title to push past Australian great Margaret Court to own the all-time record outright. And the relentless Serb admitted his passion and drive are just as strong as ever, despite finally realising his Olympic dream after first playing at the 2008 Beijing Games.

jokovic’s wife and kids were on hand to share in the celebrations with the 37-year-old in beautiful post-match scenes. As for Alcaraz though, the young Spaniard was inconsolable on the court afterwards and unable to hold back the tears as he spoke about the defeat.

“I think I put more pressure on myself because I was playing for Spain, for the Spaniards,” he said. “It was a different type of pressure… everyone in Spain wanted me to win the gold, and I wanted to win the gold as well.” “I felt that I let the Spanish people down.”

Alcaraz’s idol Nadal – who he partnered in the men’s doubles for Spain at the Olympics – was one of the first to reach out to the 21-year-old after his heartbreak. “Carlos, even though I know that today is a difficult day, value a medal that is very important for the whole country and you’ll see, in time, that for you too,” Nadal wrote on Instagram.

Alcaraz saved a break point in the second game of the match and three more in the fourth, before Djokovic responded with three of his own. Alcaraz also staved off a set point before Djokovic claimed a marathon 93-minute opener set in a dominant tiebreak. The second set followed a similar pattern, with the Spaniard saving another break in the third game before going down to Djokovic in the tiebreak again as the Serb wrote more history.