.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest champions as well as other titles, for each one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, definitely desired an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last considerable achievement missing coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly got one at grow older 37, and also it doesn't matter a little how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and evenly matched males's tennis single people final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I put my center, my soul, my body, my loved ones-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Unbelievable war. Amazing match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent occupation already featured a guys's- report 24 Conquest trophies and also the best full weeks invested atop in the ranks through any kind of guy or even female. It likewise currently had a Summertime Olympics award, from 2008, but it was actually a bronze-- as well as he produced it clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 in that round at the Games. He shed to the eventual gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I resembled, 'OK, let's survive this.' That is actually why today, just before the fit, I did certainly not believe as concerned as I will normally think, considering that I had actually gotten an award." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the ideal knee that needed surgical treatment for a torn crescent pair of months ago, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second round as well as eliminated his long time opponent in organized sets. Currently Djokovic is the oldest man to gain the songs gold in his sport since 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his first career gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, thanks to one final forehand champion, Djokovic turned toward his team in the stands-- being in front of his better half and also their two kids-- lost his racket and knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he wailed and covered his face, then increased as well as got a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the challenging instants, he provided it an additional push," Alcaraz pointed out by means of his own rips. "It hurts to drop enjoy this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, fifty moments despite being decided in simply two collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in last year's final at the All England Club, yet Djokovic won when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court competition held at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating matchup, featuring some of the greatest to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and the most ideal presently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could possess been actually frustrating for Djokovic to locate themself once again throughout the internet from a much younger, faster variation of themself. Maybe that's why Djokovic frequently searched for and gesticulated and also muttered toward his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Frankly, when the swan song went through him, past him, that was the only instant I in fact believed I can easily win the suit," Djokovic said.It required long substitutions loaded with exceptional ball-striking, skilled decrease chances-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be a lot more successful, in some cases so great Djokovic declined to even provide hunt-- and incredible sprinting, gliding, stretching self defense at both ends. They served thus well that neither got broken even once: Djokovic saved eight breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, perhaps, was actually just how precisely both men participated in, regardless of the skill of the hostility and stress of the occasion.The just shame, perhaps, for the supporters-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Make indisputable, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a primary final.Those in the stands became part of the series, repeatedly breaking out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, producing an operatic fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a return, his followers started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois periodically advised individuals to remain noiseless during the action.Yet the area also ended up being as silent as a cinema between factors, good enough to ensure that play was delayed briefly when the air thick with anticipation was actually punctured by a young kid's crying.Both guys participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one decrease go and also down payment it over the net for a victor, he basked in the rowdy response through directing his appropriate forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the go to top a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swung both upper arms overhead to promote folks that currently were standing and screaming.The very first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, full of legendary chances as well as legendary games. One activity lasted 18 points spread over much more than a lots mesmerizing moments, consisting of 5 rest opportunities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to hold for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he therefore frequently is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body serve, yet Djokovic moved simply good enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand yield victor. After pair of mistakes by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery winner and also looked to encounter his family along with a fist conducted high.Another collection, and an additional sudden death, eventually, as well as Djokovic possessed that award that he wished, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem finished ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also took it to his lips for a caress.