.PARIS-- For each of his Conquest championships and also other titles, for each one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, truly wished an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last considerable accomplishment skipping from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately received one at grow older 37, and also no matter a bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and also equally matched guys's tennis single people last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my soul, my soul, my physical body, my family members-- my every thing-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Incredible struggle. Incredible fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive career actually featured a men's- report 24 Conquest trophies as well as the most weeks devoted atop in the ranks through any type of male or even female. It additionally already included a Summer Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- as well as he created it crystal clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because round at the Video games. He dropped to the ultimate gold champion each time: 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 make it through this set.' That is actually why today, just before the match, I carried out not experience as concerned as I would usually feel, given that I had actually secured an award." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the ideal knee that required surgical procedure for a torn lens pair of months ago, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the 2nd round and also eliminated his long time opponent in straight sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the oldest man to gain the single people gold in his sport given that 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his 1st profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, due to one final forehand champion, Djokovic switched towards his group in the stands-- being in front of his spouse and their pair of kids-- lost his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he wailed and also covered his face, then progressed and nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the hard instants, he provided it an additional press," Alcaraz stated by means of his own splits. "It harms to drop such as this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 mins even with being actually made a decision in only pair of sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to follow up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All of England Nightclub, but Djokovic gained when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court event kept at Roland Garros, the website made use of for ping pong during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an enthralling match, featuring among the very best to ever before perform it in Djokovic, as well as the very best right now in Alcaraz. Certainly, it could possibly have been actually irritating for Djokovic to discover themself once more around the web from a much younger, faster model of themself. Maybe that's why Djokovic frequently found and also gesticulated as well as sputtered toward his visitor box.Still, he came out on top." In all honesty, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only minute I really thought I can easily succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It required long swaps loaded with exceptional ball-striking, quick decrease chances-- Alcaraz's tended to be much more effective, sometimes therefore good Djokovic dropped to even provide pursuit-- and incredible sprinting, gliding, extending defense at both ends. They offered so well that neither got broken even when: Djokovic saved 8 rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, perhaps, was just how easily both guys participated in, even with the ability of the resistance as well as pressure of the occasion.The only shame, perhaps, for the enthusiasts-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Make indisputable, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a primary final.Those in the positions became part of the series, continuously bursting out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, developing an operatic fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz attempted to place a rebound, his followers started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois sometimes reminded folks to continue to be noiseless in the course of the action.Yet the spot also ended up being as quiet as a cinema in between aspects, sufficient in order that play was actually put off for a while when the air close expectancy was punctured through a child's crying.Both males participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one drop try as well as deposit it over the web for a champion, he basked in the rowdy response by pointing his appropriate index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand winner on the run to top a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms overhead to motivate people who already were standing and also screaming.The very first set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with impressive shots as well as epic activities. One video game lasted 18 points spread over much more than a number of thrilling moments, including five rest odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic managed to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in crunch time, as he therefore typically is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body system provide, yet Djokovic glided just enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand yield champion. After pair of blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a battery winner as well as counted on experience his household with a hand conducted high.Another collection, and an additional tiebreaker, later, and also Djokovic possessed that award that he wished, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also took it to his lips for a caress.