.PARIS-- For each of his Grand Slam championships and also various other labels, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, actually desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final substantial achievement skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at grow older 37, and never mind a little bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and equally matched guys's ping pong singles final at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my body, my family-- my whatever-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Unbelievable struggle. Astonishing match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding occupation currently featured a guys's- file 24 Grand Slam prizes as well as the absolute most full weeks spent atop in the positions by any kind of male or girl. It additionally presently included a Summertime Olympics award, from 2008, but it was a bronze-- and he created it clear that just had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because cycle at the Video games. He lost to the ultimate gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I resembled, 'OK, permit's get through this.' That's why today, just before the fit, I performed not experience as stressed as I would commonly believe, due to the fact that I had protected an award." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the best leg that called for surgical treatment for a torn lens 2 months ago, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second round as well as eliminated his longtime competitor in straight sets. Now Djokovic is the earliest guy to gain the singles gold in his sporting activity given that 1908-- and he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, because of one last forehand winner, Djokovic transformed toward his team in the positions-- sitting in front of his partner and their two little ones-- fell his noise as well as knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he wept as well as covered his face, then advanced and snatched a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic waved the banner." In the difficult seconds, he offered it an extra push," Alcaraz claimed via his very own tears. "It hurts to shed similar to this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments even with being decided in simply 2 sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to follow up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2015's last at the All England Club, however Djokovic succeeded when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the web site utilized for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an enthralling competition, featuring among the most effective to ever do it in Djokovic, and the greatest presently in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it can possess been annoying for Djokovic to find himself once more all over the web from a younger, speedier variation of themself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic regularly searched for as well as gesticulated as well as murmured toward his attendee box.Still, he came out on top." Truthfully, when the last shot underwent him, past him, that was actually the only instant I in fact thought I can succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long substitutions loaded with outstanding ball-striking, quick reduce shots-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to be extra productive, sometimes therefore excellent Djokovic declined to even provide pursuit-- and enormous sprinting, moving, stretching defense at both ends. They offered thus well that not either acquired equalized as soon as: Djokovic conserved 8 breather points, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, maybe, was actually exactly how cleanly both men participated in, even with the talent of the hostility as well as stress of the occasion.The just pity, perhaps, for the fans-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Create no mistake, this experience in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the positions became part of the show, consistently breaking out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, generating an operatic fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz sought to place a comeback, his supporters began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois periodically reminded individuals to continue to be noiseless in the course of the action.Yet the area additionally became as peaceful as a movie theater in between aspects, good enough to make sure that play was actually put off temporarily when the sky close apprehension was actually punctured by a child's crying.Both males participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to reach one decrease try and also down payment it over the net for a winner, he basked in the rowdy reaction by aiming his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the run to cover a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swung both upper arms overhead to encourage folks that presently were actually standing and also screaming.The very first set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with legendary gos and epic games. One video game lasted 18 aspects spread over more than a lots thrilling mins, featuring 5 rest opportunities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic handled to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he so typically is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body system offer, but Djokovic glided merely sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand gain champion. After two oversights by Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley victor and looked to experience his loved ones with a first conducted high.Another collection, and another tiebreaker, eventually, and Djokovic possessed that award that he desired, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as brought it to his lips for a caress.