.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam championships and also various other labels, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, actually wished an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last considerable accomplishment missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly got one at age 37, and it matters not a little bit how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and evenly matched males's ping pong singles ultimate at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my center, my spirit, my body system, my loved ones-- my every little thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Amazing fight. Unbelievable battle." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional job currently included a men's- document 24 Conquest prizes as well as the absolute most weeks devoted atop in the rankings by any kind of man or lady. It likewise actually contained a Summertime Olympics medal, from 2008, however it was actually a bronze-- and also he made it very clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that cycle at the Gamings. He dropped to the possible gold winner 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 facing Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's survive this set.' That is actually why today, prior to the complement, I carried out not think as worried as I will ordinarily feel, since I had safeguarded a medal." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the best knee that demanded surgical treatment for a torn lens two months back, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd cycle and removed his long time rival in straight collections. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest male to gain the singles gold in his sport considering that 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from becoming 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 victory was his, with the help of one last forehand victor, Djokovic switched towards his crew in the positions-- sitting in front of his other half and their 2 children-- fell his noise and knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever before, he wailed and covered his face, at that point rose and took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic swung the banner." In the hard moments, he offered it an added push," Alcaraz stated with his own rips. "It harms to lose like this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 minutes regardless of being decided in merely pair of sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to adhere to up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in in 2015's final at the All of England Club, but Djokovic won when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the internet site utilized for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was a fascinating match, including one of the best to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the best at the moment in Alcaraz. Indeed, it might possess been actually irritating for Djokovic to locate themself once again around the internet from a more youthful, faster variation of himself. Maybe that's why Djokovic often found as well as gesticulated and also murmured towards his guest box.Still, he prevailed." In all honesty, when the last shot looked at him, past him, that was the only minute I actually assumed I may succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges full of exceptional ball-striking, ingenious reduce chances-- Alcaraz's often tended to become even more effective, at times therefore excellent Djokovic declined to also provide hunt-- as well as tremendous sprinting, moving, flexing defense at both ends. They provided so properly that neither received equalized when: Djokovic conserved eight break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, maybe, was just how cleanly both males played, despite the talent of the resistance as well as pressure of the occasion.The merely pity, possibly, for the fans-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set style, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Produce no mistake, this experience 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 series, frequently breaking out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, creating a theatrical fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to place a revival, his advocates began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair umpire Damien Dumusois sometimes advised individuals to remain noiseless during the action.Yet the place additionally ended up being as quiet as a theater between aspects, enough so that play was actually put off for a while when the air thick with expectancy was actually pierced through a little one's crying.Both males participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one drop go and deposit it over the net for a champion, he indulged the rowdy reaction by directing his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cover a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he waved both upper arms expenses to encourage people who already were actually standing and also screaming.The 1st set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, loaded with epic gos and impressive video games. One video game lasted 18 aspects spread over much more than a loads mesmerizing mins, including five rest opportunities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in , as he therefore typically is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a physical body provide, but Djokovic moved merely good enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand gain champion. After pair of errors by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley winner and relied on encounter his family with a first had high.Another set, and also an additional tiebreaker, eventually, and also Djokovic had that medal that he wanted, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also carried it to his lips for a kiss.