.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest championships and also other titles, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, truly preferred an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last considerable accomplishment missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately acquired one at grow older 37, and also it matters not a little bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and also equally matched males's tennis singles ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my soul, my spirit, my body system, my family members-- my every thing-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Amazing fight. Fabulous match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent profession currently featured a men's- report 24 Conquest prizes and also the best full weeks invested atop in the ranks by any sort of guy or lady. It likewise actually included a Summer Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was a bronze-- and also he produced it very clear that just had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 in that round at the Games. He dropped to the resulting gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I felt like, 'OK, allow's make it through this one.' That is actually why today, just before the fit, I carried out certainly not feel as concerned as I will generally experience, considering that I had safeguarded a medal." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the appropriate knee that called for surgical treatment for a torn curve two months ago, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second cycle and eliminated his long time rival in straight sets. Now Djokovic is the oldest male to win the singles gold in his sport given that 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, due to one last forehand champion, Djokovic switched toward his staff in the positions-- sitting in front of his partner and their 2 kids-- fell his racket as well as knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever, he sobbed and also covered his face, after that advanced and also nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic waved the flag." In the hard minutes, he gave it an extra push," Alcaraz said with his very own tears. "It harms to drop similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, 50 mins in spite of being decided in merely 2 collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to comply with up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in last year's final at the All England Club, yet Djokovic succeeded when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the internet site utilized for ping pong throughout these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating matchup, featuring one of the greatest to ever before perform it in Djokovic, as well as the most ideal right now in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could possess been actually discouraging for Djokovic to find himself once again throughout the net from a more youthful, speedier variation of himself. Maybe that's why Djokovic frequently sought out and also gesticulated as well as sputtered toward his guest box.Still, he came out on top." Frankly, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was the only moment I really thought I can succeed the match," Djokovic said.It needed long exchanges full of superb ball-striking, quick decline tries-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become a lot more productive, occasionally therefore good Djokovic dropped to even provide hunt-- and significant sprinting, sliding, extending protection at both ends. They offered so properly that not either acquired broken even once: Djokovic spared eight breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most outstanding, possibly, was just how cleanly each men played, regardless of the talent of the resistance and stress of the occasion.The only pity, probably, for the followers-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set style, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Help make indisputable, this meet between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the positions became part of the series, repetitively bursting out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, creating a sonant fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz tried to position a resurgence, his followers began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois occasionally told folks to remain soundless throughout the action.Yet the spot also ended up being as quiet as a theater in between aspects, sufficient to ensure play was actually put off briefly when the air thick with apprehension was actually punctured by a young kid's crying.Both males participated in to the group. When Alcaraz competed to get to one decrease shot and down payment it over the internet for a victor, he indulged the raucous response through aiming his right index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cap a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swayed both arms cost to motivate individuals who actually were actually standing as well as screaming.The very first set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with impressive tries and impressive activities. One video game lasted 18 factors topped much more than a dozen exciting minutes, including 5 rest opportunities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic handled to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he therefore often is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body offer, but Djokovic slid simply good enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand yield champion. After pair of oversights by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery victor and looked to face his household with a hand had high.Another set, and also another sudden death, eventually, and also Djokovic had that award that he really wanted, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem completed sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold as well as delivered it to his lips for a caress.