.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest championships and also other labels, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, really yearned for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final considerable accomplishment missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally obtained one at age 37, and no matter a little bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and evenly matched guys's tennis single people last at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my body system, my loved ones-- my every little thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Incredible battle. Extraordinary fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding profession already featured a guys's- report 24 Conquest prizes and also one of the most full weeks spent atop in the positions through any type of male or even lady. It also already contained a Summer months Olympics award, from 2008, but it was actually a bronze-- as well as he made it very clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because round at the Video games. He dropped to the eventual gold victor each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I felt like, 'OK, let's get through this.' That's why today, prior to the suit, I carried out certainly not feel as anxious as I will ordinarily think, considering that I had secured an award." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the ideal leg that demanded surgical procedure for a torn lens pair of months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second cycle as well as eliminated his long time rival in organized collections. Right now Djokovic is actually the oldest man to gain the singles gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- and also he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial job gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, because of one last forehand champion, Djokovic turned toward his staff in the stands-- partaking front of his partner as well as their 2 kids-- dropped his racket and also knelt on the clay. As mental as ever, he wailed and covered his face, after that progressed and also got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic waved the banner." In the difficult moments, he gave it an added press," Alcaraz claimed by means of his own rips. "It hurts to drop similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 minutes regardless of being actually made a decision in only two collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All England Club, but Djokovic succeeded when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament secured at Roland Garros, the internet site utilized for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an appealing competition, including among the best to ever perform it in Djokovic, as well as the most effective currently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could possibly possess been discouraging for Djokovic to locate themself once again around the net coming from a younger, faster model of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic regularly searched for and gestured and murmured towards his guest box.Still, he prevailed." Honestly, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was the only minute I in fact believed I can easily succeed the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long substitutions loaded with excellent ball-striking, nimble decline shots-- Alcaraz's often tended to be much more productive, in some cases so really good Djokovic dropped to also offer chase-- and remarkable sprinting, gliding, extending protection at each ends. They offered therefore effectively that neither obtained equalized as soon as: Djokovic saved 8 breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, maybe, was actually exactly how safely each males played, regardless of the talent of the resistance as well as pressure of the occasion.The just pity, probably, for the enthusiasts-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Help make indisputable, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a significant final.Those in the positions entered into the program, repetitively bursting out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, generating a sonant fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz tried to mount a resurgence, his promoters started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois sometimes reminded people to continue to be soundless in the course of the action.Yet the area also ended up being as silent as a theatre between factors, sufficient to ensure play was postponed for a while when the sky close anticipation was pierced through a child's crying.Both males participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one drop chance and also deposit it over the net for a winner, he indulged the raucous reaction by pointing his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the go to top a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swung both arms cost to urge people that actually were standing as well as screaming.The initial collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with epic shots and impressive video games. One activity lasted 18 points topped greater than a lots exciting mins, including 5 break odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic took care of to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in , as he so often is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body provide, yet Djokovic moved just enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return victor. After pair of oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley victor and also counted on face his family along with a fist hosted high.Another set, and another tiebreaker, eventually, and also Djokovic possessed that award that he wished, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also took it to his lips for an embrace.