.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest championships and various other headlines, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, definitely wished an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final significant achievement missing coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately acquired one at grow older 37, as well as it does not matter a little bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and equally matched males's tennis single people final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my center, my spirit, my body, my family members-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Unbelievable war. Astonishing fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent career already included a men's- report 24 Grand Slam trophies as well as the absolute most full weeks invested atop in the positions by any kind of man or even lady. It likewise currently had a Summer months Olympics medal, from 2008, however it was actually a bronze-- as well as he created it crystal clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because round at the Gamings. He shed to the ultimate gold winner 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 experiencing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I was like, 'OK, let's get through this set.' That is actually why today, just before the suit, I performed certainly not think as worried as I will normally think, given that I had actually secured a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the best leg that called for surgical operation for a torn curve pair of months earlier, Djokovic faced Nadal in the 2nd cycle as well as eliminated his long time rival in straight sets. Now Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to win the singles gold in his sport given that 1908-- and also he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his very first job gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, because of one final forehand victor, Djokovic transformed toward his group in the stands-- partaking front of his partner as well as their 2 kids-- lost his racket and knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever before, he wept as well as covered his face, at that point increased and nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swung the flag." In the hard instants, he provided it an extra press," Alcaraz mentioned through his personal tears. "It injures to shed similar to this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty mins even with being chosen in simply pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to adhere to up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2014's ultimate at the All England Nightclub, but Djokovic succeeded when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition secured at Roland Garros, the site made use of for tennis throughout these Olympics.Sunday's contest was a fascinating match, including some of the best to ever before do it in Djokovic, and also the best right now in Alcaraz. Certainly, it can have been annoying for Djokovic to discover himself once more throughout the internet coming from a much younger, speedier variation of himself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic often searched for and gestured as well as murmured towards his guest box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the swan song went through him, past him, that was actually the only instant I in fact believed I can easily win the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long substitutions full of excellent ball-striking, ingenious drop tries-- Alcaraz's often tended to be a lot more successful, occasionally thus good Djokovic decreased to also give pursuit-- as well as incredible sprinting, gliding, flexing self defense at both ends. They served so effectively that not either obtained equalized the moment: Djokovic conserved eight rest factors, Alcaraz six.Most outstanding, probably, was actually exactly how easily each guys played, in spite of the talent of the opposition as well as tension of the occasion.The merely shame, perhaps, for the followers-- as well as normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set style, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. 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 became part of the program, continuously breaking out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, producing an operatic fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz attempted to install a resurgence, his supporters began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois from time to time helped remind folks to continue to be soundless throughout the action.Yet the place additionally came to be as peaceful as a cinema between aspects, sufficient to ensure play was delayed for a while when the sky thick with anticipation was actually punctured through a young kid's crying.Both men participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one reduce try as well as deposit it over the net for a winner, he indulged in the rowdy response by aiming his right forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cap a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he waved both arms cost to encourage people that actually were standing up and screaming.The initial set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, filled with impressive tries as well as impressive video games. One video game lasted 18 aspects topped more than a dozen magical mins, featuring five rest possibilities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to contain for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he therefore usually is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body serve, but Djokovic slid just enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit champion. After 2 mistakes by Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a volley victor and turned to encounter his family members along with a hand had high.Another collection, as well as another tiebreaker, eventually, and Djokovic had that award that he wanted, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and carried it to his lips for a caress.