.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam champions and other labels, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, truly desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last significant accomplishment missing out on from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually got one at grow older 37, and it doesn't matter a little bit how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating as well as equally matched men's tennis singles ultimate at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I put my heart, my soul, my body system, my loved ones-- my every little thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Fabulous fight. Incredible battle." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding profession presently included a males's- document 24 Grand Slam prizes and also one of the most weeks devoted atop in the positions through any kind of guy or even girl. It also actually contained a Summer season Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was a bronze-- and he produced it crystal clear that merely had not been 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 lost to the eventual gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I felt like, 'OK, allow's survive this set.' That's why today, before the fit, I performed certainly not think as concerned as I would usually feel, because I had gotten an award." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the correct leg that needed surgery for a torn meniscus two months back, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second cycle and eliminated his longtime opponent in straight sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the oldest man to gain the songs gold in his sport since 1908-- and he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, because of one final forehand champion, Djokovic turned towards his group in the positions-- being in front of his other half as well as their 2 youngsters-- dropped his racket and knelt on the clay. As mental as ever, he cried and covered his face, at that point progressed as well as got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the hard moments, he offered it an extra push," Alcaraz said by means of his very own splits. "It hurts to shed similar to this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments even with being determined in just 2 collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to adhere to up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All of England Club, but Djokovic won when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court event secured at Roland Garros, the website utilized for tennis throughout these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an enthralling match, including one of the very best to ever before do it in Djokovic, and the most effective presently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it might have been actually disheartening for Djokovic to find himself once again across the net from a much younger, faster version of themself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic frequently found and gesticulated as well as sputtered toward his attendee box.Still, he prevailed." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was actually the only instant I actually assumed I can succeed the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long substitutions loaded with terrific ball-striking, skilled decline gos-- Alcaraz's often tended to be even more effective, sometimes so excellent Djokovic decreased to also offer chase-- as well as incredible sprinting, sliding, extending protection at each ends. They served therefore effectively that neither got equalized the moment: Djokovic conserved eight rest factors, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, perhaps, was actually how cleanly both men participated in, regardless of the talent of the resistance and tension of the occasion.The merely embarassment, probably, for the fans-- and typically, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Help make indisputable, this experience in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the stands entered into the series, continuously bursting out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, producing an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz attempted to install a rebound, his supporters started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair umpire Damien Dumusois occasionally helped remind people to continue to be quiet throughout the action.Yet the spot additionally became as silent as a cinema in between aspects, enough in order that play was put off temporarily when the sky close expectancy was actually pierced through a child's crying.Both guys played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to reach one decrease try and also deposit it over the net for a victor, he indulged the raucous reaction by pointing his best forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand winner on the run to top a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms overhead to encourage folks that currently were standing as well as screaming.The first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, full of impressive tries and impressive video games. One activity lasted 18 factors spread over greater than a dozen magical moments, featuring 5 rest opportunities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic dealt with to carry for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he thus usually is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a physical body provide, however Djokovic glided only enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand return champion. After pair of oversights by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery victor and also counted on encounter his household with a hand had high.Another collection, and also an additional sudden death, later on, and also Djokovic had that medal that he desired, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as delivered it to his lips for a kiss.