.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest champions as well as various other titles, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, definitely yearned for an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final notable accomplishment missing out on from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately acquired one at age 37, and also it doesn't matter a little the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and also equally matched men's ping pong songs ultimate at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my body, my family members-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Fabulous battle. Unbelievable fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent profession already included a men's- file 24 Grand Slam prizes as well as the absolute most full weeks devoted atop in the ranks through any guy or even female. It additionally already contained a Summer Olympics medal, coming from 2008, however it was a bronze-- as well as he made it crystal clear that just had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that round at the Video games. He dropped to the eventual gold champion 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 dealing with Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I resembled, 'OK, permit's survive this.' That is actually why today, prior to the fit, I performed certainly not think as stressed as I would ordinarily experience, because I had actually gotten an award." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the best leg that required surgical procedure for a torn curve 2 months ago, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second round and eliminated his longtime competitor in straight collections. Now Djokovic is the oldest male to win the singles gold in his sporting activity considering that 1908-- as well as he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his 1st occupation gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, with the help of one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned toward his team in the positions-- sitting in front of his other half and also their pair of children-- lost his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he wept as well as covered his face, at that point progressed as well as got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the challenging instants, he provided it an additional push," Alcaraz said by means of his personal splits. "It hurts to drop similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty mins in spite of being actually decided in just two collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to follow up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in in 2013's ultimate 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 held at Roland Garros, the web site made use of for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an appealing match, including among the most effective to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the most ideal currently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it might have been irritating for Djokovic to find themself once more around the internet coming from a more youthful, faster version of himself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic regularly looked up as well as gestured and also whispered towards his visitor box.Still, he triumphed." Truthfully, when the last shot underwent him, past him, that was actually the only moment I really thought I may succeed the match," Djokovic said.It needed long swaps full of outstanding ball-striking, quick decrease gos-- Alcaraz's often tended to become even more effective, in some cases so excellent Djokovic dropped to even provide pursuit-- and also tremendous sprinting, gliding, stretching protection at each ends. They offered so well that not either got equalized once: Djokovic conserved eight rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, perhaps, was exactly how safely each guys participated in, in spite of the ability of the hostility and stress of the occasion.The simply pity, probably, for the fans-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set layout, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Make indisputable, this encounter between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the positions became part of the program, repeatedly bursting out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, generating a sonant fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz sought to install a revival, his advocates started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow flags. Seat umpire Damien Dumusois sometimes advised folks to stay noiseless during the action.Yet the location likewise became as peaceful as a theatre in between aspects, sufficient to ensure play was delayed briefly when the air close apprehension was actually punctured by a child's crying.Both males participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one decrease chance as well as deposit it over the internet for a victor, he indulged in the rowdy response through directing his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cover a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both arms overhead to urge folks who already were actually standing up and also screaming.The first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with epic gos and legendary activities. One game lasted 18 factors topped more than a dozen exciting minutes, including five rest opportunities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic handled to hold for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he thus usually is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body offer, but Djokovic slid simply enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand gain victor. After pair of blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic made a battery winner and turned to experience his family with a fist hosted high.Another set, and another sudden death, later, and also Djokovic had that award that he yearned for, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also delivered it to his lips for a caress.