.PARIS-- For each of his Conquest champions and also other titles, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, truly desired an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last substantial achievement missing coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually got one at age 37, and also never mind a little bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and equally matched men's tennis singles last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my center, my soul, my body system, my household-- my whatever-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Amazing fight. Extraordinary match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent profession presently included a males's- file 24 Conquest trophies and the best weeks devoted atop in the positions through any sort of guy or even female. It likewise already had a Summer season Olympics award, coming from 2008, however it was a bronze-- and also he made it crystal clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because round at the Games. He lost to the resulting gold champion each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I resembled, 'OK, let's make it through this.' That's why today, prior to the complement, I performed not experience as worried as I will normally experience, considering that I had protected an award." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the right leg that demanded surgical treatment for a torn meniscus two months back, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second round as well as eliminated his longtime rival in straight sets. Now Djokovic is the earliest man to gain the single people gold in his sporting activity considering that 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his 1st occupation gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, thanks to one final forehand victor, Djokovic switched towards his team in the positions-- partaking front of his spouse and also their pair of children-- fell his noise and also knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he burst into tears and covered his face, after that advanced and grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic waved the flag." In the tough seconds, he offered it an additional push," Alcaraz pointed out via his personal tears. "It injures to shed such as this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, fifty moments even with being decided in simply pair of collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to follow up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2013's ultimate at the All England Club, however Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event secured at Roland Garros, the internet site used for ping pong throughout these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing competition, featuring one of the most effective to ever do it in Djokovic, and the most effective at the moment in Alcaraz. Definitely, it can have been annoying for Djokovic to discover themself once again throughout the internet coming from a much younger, faster model of himself. Possibly that's why Djokovic often sought out and also gestured and sputtered 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 in fact assumed I may gain the match," Djokovic said.It needed long exchanges full of superb ball-striking, nimble decline gos-- Alcaraz's often tended to become even more prosperous, at times therefore good Djokovic declined to even give chase-- and also significant sprinting, moving, stretching self defense at both ends. They offered so properly that not either acquired equalized as soon as: Djokovic spared eight rest factors, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, probably, was how cleanly each men played, despite the ability of the resistance and pressure of the occasion.The merely shame, perhaps, for the fans-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Create indisputable, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the stands entered into the show, frequently bursting out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, generating an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz sought to install a resurgence, his advocates began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois periodically told folks to remain noiseless during the action.Yet the place additionally came to be as quiet as a cinema in between factors, good enough to ensure that play was put off temporarily when the air close expectancy was actually punctured through a little one's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to arrive at one decrease shot and also deposit it over the net for a victor, he indulged in the raucous reaction through directing his right forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand victor on the go to cover a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swung both upper arms expenses to motivate folks who actually were actually standing as well as screaming.The 1st collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with epic chances and also legendary games. One game lasted 18 factors spread over more than a dozen enchanting moments, including 5 break odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic managed to hold for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he thus typically is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body system serve, however Djokovic moved merely sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit champion. After two errors through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley victor as well as turned to face his loved ones along with a clenched fist hosted high.Another collection, and an additional tiebreaker, later on, as well as Djokovic possessed that award that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and carried it to his lips for a caress.