.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam champions and other labels, for every one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, actually desired an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last substantial accomplishment missing coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually got one at grow older 37, and it matters not a little how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating as well as evenly matched guys's ping pong songs ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my center, my spirit, my body, my family members-- my everything-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Fabulous battle. Unbelievable fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional job presently featured a men's- record 24 Grand Slam prizes as well as the best full weeks spent atop in the positions by any type of male or even woman. It likewise already included a Summertime Olympics award, coming from 2008, but it was a bronze-- as well as he produced it clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because round at the Games. He lost to the eventual gold champion each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's make it through this.' That is actually why today, just before the complement, I performed not feel as tense as I will ordinarily experience, since I had actually protected a medal." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the ideal leg that called for surgical operation for a torn meniscus 2 months earlier, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the 2nd round as well as removed his longtime rival in organized collections. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest male to win the single people gold in his sporting activity since 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, with the help of one last forehand champion, Djokovic transformed toward his group in the stands-- partaking front of his spouse as well as their 2 children-- lost his racket and knelt on the clay. As mental as ever, he sobbed and covered his face, after that advanced and got a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic waved the flag." In the hard seconds, he provided it an extra press," Alcaraz pointed out with his own tears. "It harms to drop such as this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty minutes regardless of being actually made a decision in just 2 sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2013's ultimate at the All England Club, but Djokovic gained when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament secured at Roland Garros, the web site used for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an enthralling competition, including one of the most ideal to ever perform it in Djokovic, and the best at the moment in Alcaraz. Definitely, it could possess been actually frustrating for Djokovic to locate themself once more all over the net from a much younger, speedier version of himself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic frequently searched for and also gesticulated and murmured toward his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only instant I really assumed I can gain the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges filled with wonderful ball-striking, ingenious drop shots-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to be more productive, sometimes thus good Djokovic declined to even provide chase-- as well as incredible sprinting, sliding, stretching self defense at both ends. They offered therefore effectively that not either received broken even the moment: Djokovic spared 8 break points, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, maybe, was how precisely each males participated in, despite the ability of the resistance as well as pressure of the occasion.The simply pity, probably, for the fans-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set layout, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Create no mistake, this encounter in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the positions became part of the series, repeatedly bursting out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, creating a sonant fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz sought to mount a resurgence, his supporters began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat peacemaker Damien Dumusois periodically reminded people to continue to be quiet throughout the action.Yet the spot additionally came to be as quiet as a cinema in between factors, enough to make sure that play was put off for a while when the air close anticipation was punctured by a young child's crying.Both guys participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to reach one drop shot as well as deposit it over the net for a champion, he indulged in the rowdy reaction by pointing his ideal index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand winner on the run to cover a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he waved both upper arms cost to motivate folks who presently were standing up as well as screaming.The first set alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, loaded with epic tries and impressive activities. One video game lasted 18 points spread over greater than a loads enchanting moments, consisting of 5 rest possibilities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to carry for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in , as he therefore commonly is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a physical body offer, but Djokovic slid simply sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand gain champion. After 2 oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley champion as well as counted on encounter his family along with a first hosted high.Another set, and an additional tiebreaker, later, as well as Djokovic had that award that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold as well as delivered it to his lips for a caress.