.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam championships and also various other headlines, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, truly desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last considerable accomplishment skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately got one at grow older 37, and no matter a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and evenly matched men's ping pong songs ultimate at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my soul, my spirit, my body system, my family-- my every thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Astonishing struggle. Awesome match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive career actually featured a guys's- file 24 Conquest prizes as well as the most weeks devoted atop in the ranks by any sort of male or lady. It likewise presently had a Summer Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was actually a bronze-- and he produced it clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that cycle at the Gamings. He shed to the possible gold victor each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's make it through this one.' That's why today, before the match, I carried out certainly not experience as worried as I would commonly experience, since I had actually secured an award." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the ideal knee that needed surgical operation for a torn meniscus 2 months back, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second cycle as well as removed his long time opponent in organized sets. Now Djokovic is actually the earliest male to win the singles gold in his sport given that 1908-- and he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his first job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, due to one final forehand victor, Djokovic turned toward his team in the positions-- sitting in front of his spouse as well as their 2 youngsters-- lost his racket and also knelt on the clay. As psychological as ever, he burst into tears as well as covered his face, then advanced as well as got a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the tough minutes, he provided it an added push," Alcaraz stated by means of his personal rips. "It injures to drop enjoy this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 mins despite being chosen in only pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2014's final at the All England Nightclub, however Djokovic succeeded when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event held at Roland Garros, the web site made use of for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an enthralling matchup, including some of the most ideal to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the greatest at the moment in Alcaraz. Indeed, it could possibly have been actually frustrating for Djokovic to locate himself once more across the internet from a much younger, faster variation of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic regularly sought out and also gestured and also murmured toward his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." In all honesty, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was actually the only minute I really assumed I can gain the match," Djokovic said.It called for long swaps loaded with wonderful ball-striking, ingenious decrease tries-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be more effective, at times thus great Djokovic declined to even provide pursuit-- and tremendous sprinting, gliding, flexing defense at each ends. They provided thus well that neither received recovered cost the moment: Djokovic saved 8 break points, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, maybe, was actually how safely each guys participated in, despite the talent of the resistance and stress of the occasion.The just embarassment, maybe, for the followers-- and also typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Help make no mistake, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a primary final.Those in the positions became part of the program, continuously bursting out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, generating a theatrical fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz tried to place a resurgence, his proponents began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois periodically told individuals to stay soundless throughout the action.Yet the spot also came to be as peaceful as a movie theater in between aspects, good enough in order that play was actually delayed for a while when the air thick with anticipation was punctured by a young child's crying.Both men participated in to the group. When Alcaraz competed to arrive at one reduce chance and also deposit it over the internet for a victor, he basked in the raucous reaction through aiming his ideal index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand winner on the run to top a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swung both upper arms overhead to motivate individuals who presently were standing and also screaming.The very first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, filled with legendary shots and epic video games. One video game lasted 18 aspects spread over greater than a lots enchanting moments, including 5 break possibilities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to hold for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in , as he so often is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body provide, yet Djokovic moved simply enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return champion. After pair of mistakes through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a battery victor and relied on face his family along with a clenched fist conducted high.Another set, and another tiebreaker, later, and also Djokovic possessed that award that he really wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also delivered it to his lips for an embrace.