.PARIS-- For each of his Conquest champions as well as other titles, for every one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, really desired an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final substantial success missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally obtained one at grow older 37, as well as it does not matter a little bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and equally matched males's ping pong songs last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my body, my family members-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Fabulous fight. Amazing battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive profession presently included a guys's- document 24 Grand Slam trophies and also the most full weeks invested atop in the positions through any sort of man or even girl. It also already included a Summertime Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was actually a bronze-- and he produced it clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that round at the Video games. He dropped to the resulting gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's survive this one.' That's why today, before the complement, I did not think as tense as I would normally think, because I had actually safeguarded a medal." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the right knee that needed surgical procedure for a torn meniscus two months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second cycle and also removed his long time rival in organized sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest man to win the single people gold in his sport because 1908-- and also he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, due to one final forehand winner, Djokovic switched towards his team in the stands-- partaking front of his spouse as well as their 2 youngsters-- lost his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever before, he burst into tears and also covered his face, then increased as well as got a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic waved the flag." In the tough moments, he gave it an extra press," Alcaraz mentioned by means of his own splits. "It hurts to drop enjoy this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments in spite of being determined in simply two collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2015's ultimate at the All of England Club, but Djokovic won when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an enthralling competition, featuring among the best to ever do it in Djokovic, as well as the very best currently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it can possess been disheartening for Djokovic to find themself once more across the web coming from a more youthful, speedier version of himself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic regularly looked up and also gestured as well as muttered toward his guest box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the last shot underwent him, past him, that was the only moment I actually assumed I can easily gain the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long swaps full of outstanding ball-striking, skilled decrease chances-- Alcaraz's often tended to become much more effective, at times so great Djokovic dropped to even give chase-- as well as significant sprinting, sliding, stretching protection at each ends. They provided so well that not either obtained broken even as soon as: Djokovic conserved eight breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, perhaps, was actually exactly how cleanly each men played, regardless of the ability of the hostility and also tension of the occasion.The merely pity, probably, for the fans-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set style, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Help make no mistake, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the stands entered into the show, frequently breaking out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, making a theatrical fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a rebound, his followers began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois periodically helped remind folks to remain soundless during the action.Yet the area additionally became as peaceful as a theater between points, sufficient to make sure that play was actually postponed temporarily when the air thick with anticipation was punctured through a kid's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to hit one decrease try as well as deposit it over the web for a victor, he indulged the rowdy response by aiming his appropriate index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand victor on the go to cap a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swung both arms overhead to encourage individuals who presently were standing and screaming.The initial set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with epic chances as well as epic games. One video game lasted 18 aspects spread over much more than a lots enchanting mins, featuring five break opportunities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic handled to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in crunch time, as he so typically is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body serve, but Djokovic slid simply sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand gain champion. After pair of blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley champion as well as turned to face his household along with a fist conducted high.Another collection, as well as an additional sudden death, later on, and also Djokovic had that medal that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and took it to his lips for a caress.