.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam championships and various other titles, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, really preferred an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last considerable accomplishment skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally acquired one at age 37, and no matter a bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and uniformly matched guys's ping pong single people final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my heart, my spirit, my body, my loved ones-- my every little thing-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Astonishing struggle. Fabulous match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable profession currently included a males's- file 24 Grand Slam trophies as well as the most weeks devoted atop in the rankings by any kind of male or girl. It additionally presently included a Summer season Olympics award, from 2008, however it was actually a bronze-- as well as he created it crystal clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 in that cycle at the Video games. He dropped to the resulting gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I was like, 'OK, permit's survive this one.' That's why today, just before the suit, I performed certainly not believe as stressed as I will ordinarily experience, because I had actually secured a medal." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the appropriate leg that called for surgical procedure for a torn lens two months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd cycle and also eliminated his longtime opponent in straight sets. Currently Djokovic is the earliest man to gain the singles gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- and also he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, thanks to one final forehand champion, Djokovic turned toward his crew in the positions-- partaking front of his wife and also their two youngsters-- fell his noise and also knelt on the clay. As mental as ever, he wailed and covered his face, after that increased as well as took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic waved the banner." In the challenging moments, he offered it an added press," Alcaraz said by means of his own splits. "It hurts to shed similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty minutes in spite of being actually determined in only pair of collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2014's final at the All of England Nightclub, yet Djokovic succeeded when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition held at Roland Garros, the internet site used for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was a fascinating competition, including one of the best to ever perform it in Djokovic, and also the most ideal at the moment in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it could possess been annoying for Djokovic to find themself once again around the net coming from a more youthful, faster version of himself. Maybe that's why Djokovic often looked up as well as gesticulated and also muttered towards his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Frankly, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was actually the only moment I really presumed I can easily succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It required long substitutions loaded with excellent ball-striking, ingenious reduce gos-- Alcaraz's often tended to become a lot more prosperous, often thus excellent Djokovic dropped to also provide chase-- as well as incredible sprinting, gliding, flexing defense at each ends. They served therefore effectively that neither acquired equalized when: Djokovic spared 8 break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, maybe, was actually just how cleanly each men played, even with the talent of the hostility and also stress of the occasion.The merely shame, probably, for the supporters-- as well as naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Help make no mistake, this conflict 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 bursting out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, producing an operatic fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz tried to position a comeback, his advocates started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow flags. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois periodically told folks to remain silent during the action.Yet the location additionally became as peaceful as a theatre in between points, good enough so that play was delayed quickly when the air close apprehension was pierced by a young kid's crying.Both males played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to get to one decrease shot and also deposit it over the net for a victor, he indulged in the rowdy reaction through directing his right forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cover a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swung both upper arms cost to motivate people who presently were standing and screaming.The initial collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, loaded with legendary tries as well as legendary games. One activity lasted 18 points spread over more than a number of exciting minutes, featuring 5 rest odds for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in crunch time, as he therefore commonly is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a physical body offer, however Djokovic glided simply good enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand yield champion. After pair of blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley winner and also looked to experience his household with a first had high.Another set, as well as yet another sudden death, later, and also Djokovic possessed that medal that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem finished ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and brought it to his lips for a caress.