.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam champions as well as other titles, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, definitely yearned for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last significant accomplishment skipping from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually got one at grow older 37, as well as no matter a little bit how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and also uniformly matched males's ping pong songs last at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my physical body, my family-- my every thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Astonishing fight. Astonishing fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional job currently included a males's- document 24 Grand Slam trophies and also the most full weeks invested atop in the rankings by any male or girl. It also already included a Summer season Olympics medal, coming from 2008, but it was a bronze-- and also he made it very clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that round at the Games. He lost to the ultimate gold champion each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I resembled, 'OK, let's make it through this.' That's why today, before the match, I carried out certainly not feel as nervous as I would usually experience, since I had actually protected a medal." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the ideal leg that needed surgical treatment for a torn curve 2 months back, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second round and eliminated his long time competitor in straight collections. Currently Djokovic is actually the earliest male to win the songs gold in his sport because 1908-- and he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, thanks to one last forehand champion, Djokovic transformed toward his group in the positions-- partaking front of his wife and also their pair of kids-- dropped his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever before, he wept as well as covered his face, then rose as well as snatched a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swung the flag." In the tough instants, he provided it an added press," Alcaraz claimed with his own rips. "It hurts to drop similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, 50 mins in spite of being decided in simply 2 collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to adhere to up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in in 2014's last at the All England Club, yet Djokovic succeeded when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament secured at Roland Garros, the website utilized for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an appealing match, including one of the very best to ever perform it in Djokovic, as well as the greatest at the moment in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it can possess been actually irritating for Djokovic to discover himself once more across the web from a more youthful, speedier version of himself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic often found and also gesticulated as well as muttered toward his guest box.Still, he prevailed." Truthfully, when the last shot looked at him, past him, that was the only minute I really thought I can easily succeed the match," Djokovic said.It needed long exchanges filled with wonderful ball-striking, deft decrease chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become more successful, in some cases thus great Djokovic declined to even give pursuit-- and also enormous sprinting, sliding, stretching protection at both ends. They provided therefore effectively that not either got broken even the moment: Djokovic saved eight rest points, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, probably, was actually exactly how easily both guys participated in, even with the talent of the hostility as well as pressure of the occasion.The merely shame, perhaps, for the fans-- as well as typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Help make no mistake, this encounter between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the positions became part of the program, frequently breaking out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, producing an operatic fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz sought to mount a resurgence, his promoters started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois occasionally helped remind individuals to remain quiet during the course of the action.Yet the location additionally became as peaceful as a movie theater in between aspects, good enough in order that play was actually delayed briefly when the sky thick with apprehension was punctured by a kid's crying.Both males played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to hit one reduce chance and also down payment it over the internet for a victor, he indulged the rowdy response by aiming his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cap a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he waved both arms overhead to encourage people that actually were standing and screaming.The very first set alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, filled with impressive tries and epic video games. One activity lasted 18 points spread over much more than a lots enchanting mins, featuring 5 break possibilities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he thus typically is actually, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a physical body serve, however Djokovic glided just enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand yield winner. After two oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a battery champion and counted on encounter his family members along with a hand hosted high.Another set, as well as one more sudden death, later, and also Djokovic had that medal that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as carried it to his lips for a kiss.