.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest champions and also other titles, for every one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, actually desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last substantial achievement missing out on from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately obtained one at age 37, and it does not matter a little the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and equally matched guys's ping pong singles ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my center, my soul, my physical body, my family members-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Awesome battle. Extraordinary match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional career currently included a men's- report 24 Conquest trophies as well as the best weeks spent atop in the positions through any guy or even lady. It additionally already consisted of a Summer Olympics medal, from 2008, however it was actually a bronze-- and also he produced it clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that round at the Games. He lost to the resulting gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I felt like, 'OK, allow's survive this one.' That is actually why today, prior to the fit, I performed not think as stressed as I will commonly think, due to the fact that I had actually secured a medal." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the best leg that called for surgical procedure for a torn meniscus 2 months ago, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second cycle and eliminated his longtime opponent in organized collections. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest man to win the single people gold in his sport since 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, with the help of one final forehand winner, Djokovic switched towards his team in the stands-- sitting in front of his wife as well as their 2 kids-- fell his racket and knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he wept as well as covered his face, at that point increased and ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the hard minutes, he gave it an additional push," Alcaraz claimed via his personal rips. "It harms to drop similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty minutes regardless of being actually chosen in just pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All England Club, however Djokovic won when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event kept at Roland Garros, the site utilized for tennis throughout these Olympics.Sunday's contest was a fascinating match, including some of the very best to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the very best presently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it could possibly possess been irritating for Djokovic to find himself once more throughout the net from a more youthful, speedier model of themself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic regularly searched for and gesticulated and murmured toward his attendee box.Still, he prevailed." Truthfully, when the last shot looked at him, past him, that was actually the only instant I actually assumed I can succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It called for long exchanges loaded with wonderful ball-striking, skilled decrease tries-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be even more successful, occasionally thus excellent Djokovic decreased to even offer pursuit-- and incredible sprinting, gliding, extending defense at both ends. They served thus properly that neither obtained recovered cost as soon as: Djokovic conserved 8 breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, maybe, was just how safely both guys participated in, even with the skill of the resistance and tension of the occasion.The only pity, perhaps, for the followers-- as well as naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Make no mistake, this encounter between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a significant final.Those in the positions entered into the program, repeatedly breaking out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, developing an operatic fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz tried to place a revival, his followers began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Seat peacemaker Damien Dumusois sometimes told folks to stay noiseless during the action.Yet the location likewise came to be as silent as a theatre in between factors, enough to ensure that play was delayed temporarily when the air close expectancy was punctured through a young child's crying.Both males played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one drop go and down payment it over the internet for a champion, he indulged in the raucous response through aiming his best forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cap a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he waved both arms expenses to motivate people that actually were actually standing and also screaming.The very first set alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, filled with impressive tries as well as epic video games. One video game lasted 18 factors topped more than a loads magical mins, including five break possibilities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic took care of to accommodate for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he thus typically is actually, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a physical body serve, yet Djokovic slid merely sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand gain champion. After two errors through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley champion as well as counted on encounter his family members with a fist conducted high.Another collection, and also yet another tiebreaker, later on, and also Djokovic had that medal that he wished, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also brought it to his lips for a kiss.