.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest championships and other labels, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, truly desired an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final considerable accomplishment missing coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately obtained one at grow older 37, as well as it does not matter a little the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling as well as uniformly matched men's ping pong singles ultimate at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my center, my spirit, my physical body, my family-- my every thing-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Fabulous war. Amazing fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent profession already featured a men's- report 24 Conquest prizes and also the best weeks invested atop in the positions by any guy or lady. It also already had a Summer months Olympics award, coming from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- and he created it very clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that cycle at the Video games. He dropped to the possible gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I was like, 'OK, permit's make it through this set.' That's why today, just before the complement, I carried out certainly not think as worried as I will typically think, since I had secured a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the right knee that required surgical operation for a torn curve two months back, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second cycle and removed his long time rival in organized collections. Right now Djokovic is the earliest guy to win the single people gold in his sport because 1908-- and he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first occupation gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, thanks to one final forehand victor, Djokovic transformed towards his staff in the positions-- being in front of his wife and also their 2 children-- lost his noise and knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever, he burst into tears as well as covered his face, after that increased as well as got 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 push," Alcaraz stated by means of his personal tears. "It harms to drop like this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 minutes in spite of being chosen in simply two sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2014's ultimate at the All of England Club, however Djokovic succeeded when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court event held at Roland Garros, the website utilized for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing matchup, including among the greatest to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the most ideal currently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it might possess been annoying for Djokovic to discover themself once more all over the net from a much younger, speedier version of themself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic regularly found and gesticulated as well as murmured towards his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Frankly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was actually the only moment I actually believed I can succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It called for long exchanges full of exceptional ball-striking, quick decrease gos-- Alcaraz's tended to become extra productive, often therefore great Djokovic declined to even give chase-- and also tremendous sprinting, moving, extending protection at both ends. They offered thus effectively that not either acquired equalized once: Djokovic spared eight break factors, Alcaraz six.Most outstanding, perhaps, was how easily both men participated in, regardless of the ability of the hostility and also pressure of the occasion.The only embarassment, possibly, for the fans-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, instead of the best-of-five at Conquest events. Produce indisputable, this experience in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the positions entered into the show, frequently breaking out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, producing a sonant fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz tried to install a resurgence, his followers began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow flags. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois periodically reminded folks to stay noiseless throughout the action.Yet the area additionally became as peaceful as a cinema between aspects, sufficient so that play was postponed briefly when the sky thick with expectancy was actually punctured through a little one's crying.Both men participated in to the group. When Alcaraz raced to arrive at one decrease try and down payment it over the web for a champion, he basked in the raucous response by directing his ideal forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand victor on the go to top a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both arms overhead to motivate people that presently were standing as well as screaming.The initial collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, loaded with impressive chances and also legendary games. One activity lasted 18 points spread over more than a lots thrilling moments, featuring 5 rest possibilities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic took care of to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he thus usually is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body system offer, yet Djokovic glided only good enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand gain victor. After two mistakes by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery champion as well as relied on experience his family along with a fist had high.Another collection, as well as an additional tiebreaker, later, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he really wanted, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem completed sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also delivered it to his lips for a caress.