.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest championships as well as various other titles, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, actually desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last considerable accomplishment overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly acquired one at age 37, and also it matters not a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and also evenly matched men's tennis single people last at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I put my heart, my soul, my body system, my loved ones-- my everything-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Awesome struggle. Unbelievable fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional career already included a males's- record 24 Grand Slam trophies and the best full weeks devoted atop in the rankings through any kind of man or lady. It additionally actually had a Summer months Olympics award, coming from 2008, however it was a bronze-- and he produced it very clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because cycle at the Video games. He lost to the eventual gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I resembled, 'OK, permit's survive this set.' That is actually why today, before the fit, I performed not experience as nervous as I would commonly feel, considering that I had actually protected a medal." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the appropriate leg that demanded surgical treatment for a torn meniscus 2 months ago, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second cycle and eliminated his long time competitor in organized sets. Currently Djokovic is the oldest male to win the singles gold in his sporting activity due to the fact that 1908-- as well as he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his first profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, due to one final forehand victor, Djokovic turned towards his group in the stands-- being in front of his wife and their two children-- dropped his noise and also knelt on the clay. As mental as ever, he wailed and also covered his face, after that progressed and also grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the difficult instants, he gave it an added push," Alcaraz said with his own splits. "It hurts to lose like this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 moments in spite of being chosen in just two sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to observe up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in last year's final at the All England Nightclub, yet Djokovic succeeded when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition held at Roland Garros, the website utilized for ping pong in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was a fascinating matchup, including among the best to ever before do it in Djokovic, and the greatest at the moment in Alcaraz. Indeed, it might possess been actually annoying for Djokovic to discover themself once again all over the internet coming from a more youthful, faster version of himself. Maybe that's why Djokovic frequently searched for as well as gestured and also murmured toward his visitor box.Still, he triumphed." Truthfully, when the swan song looked at him, past him, that was the only instant I in fact assumed I can easily win the match," Djokovic said.It called for long substitutions full of wonderful ball-striking, quick reduce tries-- Alcaraz's often tended to become extra prosperous, often so excellent Djokovic dropped to also provide chase-- and tremendous sprinting, moving, stretching self defense at both ends. They offered therefore effectively that neither obtained equalized as soon as: Djokovic saved eight breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, perhaps, was exactly how precisely each males participated in, regardless of the talent of the hostility as well as tension of the occasion.The only embarassment, probably, for the followers-- and also typically, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set layout, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest events. Make no mistake, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the stands became part of the show, consistently bursting out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, generating a theatrical fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz sought to mount a rebound, his supporters started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair umpire Damien Dumusois from time to time reminded folks to remain soundless in the course of the action.Yet the area likewise ended up being as silent as a cinema in between aspects, enough in order that play was actually delayed temporarily when the sky close apprehension was actually pierced through a young kid's crying.Both males played to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to reach one drop chance and also down payment it over the net for a champion, he indulged the raucous response through aiming his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand victor on the run to cover a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swung both arms cost to urge folks who actually were standing as well as screaming.The 1st set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, filled with epic chances as well as impressive activities. One game lasted 18 aspects topped much more than a loads thrilling mins, consisting of 5 break odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic managed to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in , as he therefore commonly is actually, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body system serve, however Djokovic moved only sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand yield winner. After two blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery victor and relied on experience his loved ones along with a clenched fist hosted high.Another collection, and also an additional tiebreaker, later on, and Djokovic possessed that award that he yearned for, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also carried it to his lips for a kiss.