.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam champions as well as other titles, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, truly preferred an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final significant success missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly obtained one at grow older 37, and it does not matter a little the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and equally matched males's tennis singles last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my center, my spirit, my physical body, my family-- my every thing-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Fabulous war. Awesome match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding career currently included a males's- record 24 Conquest prizes as well as the most weeks devoted atop in the positions through any man or even woman. It additionally currently consisted of a Summer season Olympics award, coming from 2008, but it was a bronze-- and also he produced it crystal clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because round at the Games. He shed to the eventual gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I was like, 'OK, let's survive this one.' That's why today, before the suit, I did not think as nervous as I would typically feel, because I had actually safeguarded a medal." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the correct knee that demanded surgical treatment for a torn lens pair of months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second round as well as eliminated his longtime opponent in organized sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the oldest man to gain the singles gold in his sporting activity due to the fact that 1908-- and he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial occupation gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, thanks to one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned toward his group in the positions-- partaking front of his partner and their pair of kids-- lost his noise as well as knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he sobbed as well as covered his face, then increased as well as snatched a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic waved the banner." In the hard moments, he offered it an added press," Alcaraz claimed through his own splits. "It harms to shed enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 mins regardless of being decided in only 2 collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to follow up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2013's ultimate at the All of England Nightclub, but Djokovic succeeded when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition held at Roland Garros, the site used for ping pong in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing matchup, including some of the best to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and also the most effective right now in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it can have been actually discouraging for Djokovic to discover himself once more around the web from a much younger, faster variation of themself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic often looked up as well as gesticulated and murmured toward his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Truthfully, when the last shot looked at him, past him, that was actually the only second I really presumed I can succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long swaps full of exceptional ball-striking, quick decline gos-- Alcaraz's tended to become extra effective, at times thus great Djokovic decreased to even provide pursuit-- and also incredible sprinting, gliding, flexing self defense at each ends. They provided therefore effectively that not either received recovered cost the moment: Djokovic saved eight rest points, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, probably, was exactly how easily each men played, regardless of the talent of the opposition and pressure of the occasion.The merely shame, probably, for the enthusiasts-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Produce indisputable, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the positions entered into the series, repeatedly bursting out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, developing an operatic fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz attempted to install a return, his fans began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois occasionally told folks to stay noiseless during the action.Yet the area additionally came to be as peaceful as a theater in between aspects, good enough in order that play was actually postponed for a while when the air thick with anticipation was actually punctured through a young child's crying.Both men played to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to arrive at one reduce go as well as down payment it over the web for a victor, he indulged in the raucous reaction through directing his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand champion on the run to cap a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he waved both arms expenses to promote folks who presently were standing and screaming.The initial collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, filled with epic gos and also impressive activities. One game lasted 18 aspects spread over much more than a dozen magical mins, featuring 5 rest odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic dealt with to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he therefore typically is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body offer, yet Djokovic glided only sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return winner. After 2 errors by Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley champion and relied on experience his household with a fist hosted high.Another collection, and also an additional sudden death, later on, and Djokovic had that medal that he preferred, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem finished sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold as well as delivered it to his lips for a kiss.