.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam champions as well as various other headlines, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, really preferred an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final significant achievement skipping from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately obtained one at age 37, and also no matter a little bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and also equally matched males's tennis single people last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my soul, my spirit, my body, my household-- my whatever-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Unbelievable fight. Incredible match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive job currently featured a guys's- file 24 Grand Slam prizes and one of the most weeks devoted atop in the rankings by any type of man or even lady. It likewise actually contained a Summer season Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- and he made it clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because cycle at the Games. He shed to the eventual gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic said, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's get through this one.' That is actually why today, prior to the fit, I carried out certainly not feel as worried as I will typically experience, due to the fact that I had actually protected a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the right knee that needed surgery for a torn lens 2 months ago, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second cycle and removed his longtime competitor in straight collections. Currently Djokovic is the earliest man to gain the songs gold in his sport because 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial occupation gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, because of one final forehand winner, Djokovic turned toward his crew in the positions-- being in front of his partner as well as their two kids-- dropped his noise and also knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever, he wailed and also covered his face, after that rose and nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic swung the banner." In the difficult seconds, he offered it an additional press," Alcaraz claimed via his personal rips. "It hurts to drop enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 mins even with being actually made a decision in merely pair of collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2013's ultimate at the All England Nightclub, however Djokovic won when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the internet site used for ping pong during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an appealing match, featuring some of the best to ever do it in Djokovic, and also the most effective right now in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it can have been irritating for Djokovic to discover himself once again all over the web coming from a more youthful, faster model of himself. Possibly that's why Djokovic regularly looked up and gestured as well as sputtered toward his attendee box.Still, he came out on top." Truthfully, when the last shot underwent him, past him, that was the only moment I really thought I can easily gain the suit," Djokovic said.It required long swaps loaded with terrific ball-striking, quick decline shots-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to be more productive, in some cases so really good Djokovic dropped to even provide chase-- as well as enormous sprinting, moving, extending defense at both ends. They offered thus effectively that neither obtained equalized once: Djokovic spared eight breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, maybe, was actually how safely both men participated in, regardless of the talent of the hostility and also pressure of the occasion.The only pity, probably, for the supporters-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Help make no mistake, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a primary final.Those in the positions entered into the program, consistently breaking out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, developing an orchestral fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz sought to mount a comeback, his fans started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois from time to time told folks to continue to be quiet during the course of the action.Yet the place additionally ended up being as silent as a theatre in between factors, enough to make sure that play was actually delayed quickly when the air close expectancy was actually pierced through a kid's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to get to one reduce shot as well as deposit it over the net for a champion, he indulged in the raucous response through pointing his ideal forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand victor on the go to top a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swung both arms expenses to encourage folks that presently were standing and screaming.The initial set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with legendary shots and also legendary activities. One activity lasted 18 factors spread over greater than a dozen thrilling moments, consisting of 5 break possibilities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic handled to accommodate for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in crunch time, as he so often is, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body offer, yet Djokovic moved only enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand gain winner. After pair of errors through Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a battery victor and looked to face his household along with a clenched fist had high.Another collection, and also yet another sudden death, eventually, as well as Djokovic had that medal that he really wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also carried it to his lips for a kiss.