.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest championships and also various other labels, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, definitely wished an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last notable accomplishment missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at age 37, and also never mind a bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and evenly matched males's tennis single people ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my center, my spirit, my body, my loved ones-- my whatever-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Fabulous war. Fabulous fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent career already featured a males's- report 24 Conquest prizes as well as the most weeks spent atop in the ranks by any kind of male or lady. It additionally currently consisted of a Summertime Olympics award, coming from 2008, but it was a bronze-- and also he produced it clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because cycle at the Games. He dropped to the possible gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I resembled, 'OK, let's survive this set.' That's why today, just before the suit, I performed not believe as worried as I would commonly experience, considering that I had actually safeguarded an award." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the appropriate leg that demanded surgical procedure for a torn curve two months back, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the 2nd round and removed his long time competitor in straight sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the oldest male to gain the songs gold in his sport since 1908-- and also he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his very first profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, thanks to one final forehand winner, Djokovic turned towards his team in the positions-- being in front of his wife and also their pair of children-- lost his racket and knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever before, he cried as well as covered his face, after that progressed and ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic swung the banner." In the tough minutes, he offered it an added push," Alcaraz mentioned via his own splits. "It hurts to drop enjoy this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, 50 mins regardless of being actually made a decision in only 2 sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to comply with up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz likewise 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 yearly clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the web site used for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an appealing competition, featuring among the most effective to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and also the most effective right now in Alcaraz. Certainly, it can possess been frustrating for Djokovic to discover themself once more across the net coming from a much younger, faster variation of himself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic often sought out and also gestured and sputtered toward his guest box.Still, he came out on top." Frankly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only minute I actually believed I can easily win the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges filled with superb ball-striking, deft reduce chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become extra successful, often thus really good Djokovic dropped to even give hunt-- and also significant sprinting, sliding, stretching self defense at each ends. They provided thus properly that not either obtained broken even when: Djokovic conserved eight break points, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, probably, was exactly how easily each men played, despite the ability of the hostility and stress of the occasion.The only embarassment, perhaps, for the supporters-- as well as naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set style, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Produce indisputable, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands became part of the program, repeatedly bursting out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, making an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a comeback, his fans started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Seat peacemaker Damien Dumusois periodically helped remind folks to stay noiseless during the action.Yet the place likewise ended up being as peaceful as a cinema between factors, sufficient to ensure that play was actually delayed quickly when the air close apprehension was pierced by a child's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz competed to reach one decrease try as well as down payment it over the net for a winner, he basked in the raucous response by pointing his best forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the go to top a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swung both upper arms cost to urge people that actually were actually standing up as well as screaming.The 1st set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with legendary chances and also impressive video games. One video game lasted 18 factors spread over much more than a dozen mesmerizing minutes, featuring 5 break possibilities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic managed to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in , as he thus often is actually, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body provide, but Djokovic glided only sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand gain champion. After 2 blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery winner and looked to face his family members with a hand had high.Another collection, and also one more tiebreaker, eventually, as well as Djokovic possessed that award that he preferred, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem finished ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and took it to his lips for a caress.