.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest champions and also other titles, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, really yearned for an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final significant accomplishment skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately obtained one at grow older 37, and also no matter a bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and uniformly matched guys's ping pong singles last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my physical body, my loved ones-- my every thing-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Astonishing battle. Astonishing match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable occupation already featured a guys's- document 24 Conquest trophies and also the absolute most weeks invested atop in the positions by any type of guy or lady. It likewise presently had a Summer Olympics medal, from 2008, however it was actually a bronze-- and also he produced it very clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that cycle at the Games. He lost to the ultimate gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I was like, 'OK, let's make it through this one.' That is actually why today, before the match, I performed certainly not feel as tense as I will typically experience, because I had actually protected a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the ideal leg that called for surgical treatment for a torn meniscus pair of months earlier, Djokovic faced Nadal in the 2nd cycle as well as removed his longtime rival in straight sets. Now Djokovic is actually the earliest male to gain the single people gold in his sporting activity given that 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first career gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, with the help of one final forehand winner, Djokovic transformed toward his crew in the stands-- partaking front of his wife and also their two kids-- dropped his racket and knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he wailed as well as covered his face, at that point advanced and also got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic swung the flag." In the tough seconds, he offered it an added press," Alcaraz said via his personal splits. "It hurts to lose such as this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, fifty mins despite being actually chosen in just two sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in last year's ultimate at the All of England Nightclub, however Djokovic gained when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court event kept at Roland Garros, the website made use of for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was a fascinating competition, featuring one of the very best to ever perform it in Djokovic, and also the very best right now in Alcaraz. Indeed, it can have been irritating for Djokovic to locate themself once more all over the net coming from a younger, faster model of themself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic often sought out and gesticulated as well as sputtered towards his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Truthfully, when the last shot underwent him, past him, that was actually the only second I in fact thought I can easily win the match," Djokovic said.It called for long swaps loaded with excellent ball-striking, deft reduce gos-- Alcaraz's often tended to be more prosperous, sometimes thus excellent Djokovic dropped to even offer pursuit-- and incredible sprinting, moving, extending self defense at each ends. They served so effectively that not either obtained equalized the moment: Djokovic saved eight breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, maybe, was just how cleanly both males played, regardless of the skill of the hostility and stress of the occasion.The just shame, possibly, for the enthusiasts-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Make indisputable, this encounter between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a significant final.Those in the stands entered into the show, consistently breaking out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, generating an operatic fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz sought to place a return, his promoters began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois sometimes advised individuals to stay silent in the course of the action.Yet the spot also came to be as quiet as a cinema between aspects, good enough in order that play was actually put off quickly when the sky close apprehension was actually pierced through a young child's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to reach one drop go and deposit it over the web for a victor, he indulged in the rowdy reaction by aiming his ideal forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand victor on the run to cap a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swayed both upper arms cost to motivate individuals who presently were standing and also screaming.The very first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with legendary shots as well as impressive video games. One activity lasted 18 factors topped more than a loads mesmerizing moments, including five rest opportunities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic managed to hold for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he so frequently is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body system offer, but Djokovic glided merely good enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand gain victor. After two blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a volley champion as well as turned to face his household along with a first hosted high.Another collection, and also one more tiebreaker, later on, and Djokovic had that medal that he wished, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also carried it to his lips for a kiss.