.PARIS-- For each of his Conquest champions and also other labels, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, definitely wanted an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final significant accomplishment overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately obtained one at age 37, as well as it does not matter a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and evenly matched males's tennis single people ultimate at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my soul, my soul, my body, my household-- my every little thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Awesome battle. Amazing match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive occupation presently featured a males's- document 24 Grand Slam prizes and the most weeks devoted atop in the rankings through any type of male or even female. It likewise actually had a Summer months Olympics medal, coming from 2008, but it was a bronze-- as well as he created it clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that round at the Video games. He dropped to the resulting gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I was like, 'OK, let's get through this set.' That is actually why today, before the fit, I carried out certainly not feel as tense as I will normally feel, considering that I had protected a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the right knee that called for surgical operation for a torn crescent pair of months back, Djokovic faced Nadal in the 2nd cycle and eliminated his longtime competitor in organized sets. Now Djokovic is the earliest male to gain the songs gold in his sport considering that 1908-- and he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first occupation gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, because of one last forehand winner, Djokovic switched towards his crew in the stands-- sitting in front of his spouse and their two kids-- dropped his racket as well as knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he burst into tears and also covered his face, after that advanced and took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic waved the banner." In the difficult seconds, he gave it an added press," Alcaraz pointed out with his own splits. "It injures to lose like this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, 50 moments even with being actually determined in merely pair of collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2015's ultimate at the All of England Nightclub, however Djokovic succeeded when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event kept at Roland Garros, the site used for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an appealing match, featuring some of the most effective to ever perform it in Djokovic, as well as the very best presently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could have been actually discouraging for Djokovic to find himself once again around the net coming from a more youthful, faster model of themself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic frequently looked up and gestured and murmured towards his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Truthfully, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was the only minute I in fact thought I can succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long substitutions full of terrific ball-striking, quick drop shots-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become more effective, sometimes therefore great Djokovic dropped to also give pursuit-- and also enormous sprinting, sliding, stretching self defense at each ends. They offered thus properly that neither obtained equalized once: Djokovic saved 8 rest factors, Alcaraz six.Most outstanding, possibly, was how easily each men played, in spite of the ability of the hostility and stress of the occasion.The merely pity, possibly, for the enthusiasts-- and typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Make indisputable, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands entered into the series, repeatedly bursting out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, making a theatrical fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz sought to position a comeback, his fans began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois periodically told people to remain silent during the action.Yet the location likewise ended up being as peaceful as a movie theater in between factors, enough to ensure that play was put off for a while when the sky close expectancy was pierced through a little one's crying.Both men played to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to get to one decrease chance as well as down payment it over the net for a victor, he indulged in the rowdy reaction through pointing his best forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cap a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swung both upper arms cost to urge folks who already were actually standing up and also screaming.The initial collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, loaded with legendary gos as well as impressive video games. One video game lasted 18 factors spread over greater than a lots mesmerizing minutes, consisting of five rest opportunities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic handled to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in , as he therefore commonly is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a physical body serve, but Djokovic moved only enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand gain victor. After pair of blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a battery victor and also looked to encounter his household along with a first had high.Another set, and also one more sudden death, eventually, and also Djokovic possessed that award that he wished, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and carried it to his lips for an embrace.