.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam champions and also various other headlines, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, definitely wished an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last significant achievement missing coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately acquired one at age 37, as well as it doesn't matter a bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing as well as uniformly matched guys's tennis single people ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my soul, my spirit, my physical body, my family-- my everything-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Fabulous war. Extraordinary battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional profession currently featured a males's- file 24 Conquest prizes and the absolute most full weeks devoted atop in the ranks through any sort of man or even woman. It additionally currently consisted of a Summer Olympics medal, coming from 2008, however it was a bronze-- as well as he made it crystal clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because cycle at the Video games. He dropped to the resulting gold champion each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic said, "I was like, 'OK, permit's survive this set.' That is actually why today, before the fit, I carried out certainly not think as nervous as I would typically feel, because I had protected an award." In Paris, wearing a grey sleeve over the ideal knee that required surgery for a torn crescent 2 months ago, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second cycle as well as eliminated his long time rival in organized sets. Now Djokovic is actually the earliest male to win the single people gold in his sport given that 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his very first occupation gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, due to one last forehand victor, Djokovic turned toward his crew in the positions-- partaking front of his other half and also their two youngsters-- fell his racket as well as knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he wailed and covered his face, after that increased and ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic waved the banner." In the tough minutes, he provided it an extra press," Alcaraz stated through his very own rips. "It harms to lose like this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, 50 minutes even with being decided in simply 2 sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2014's last at the All of England Club, yet Djokovic won when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court competition secured at Roland Garros, the web site utilized for ping pong in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing competition, including one of the greatest to ever do it in Djokovic, and the most effective at the moment in Alcaraz. Indeed, it might have been disheartening for Djokovic to discover themself once more throughout the internet coming from a much younger, speedier model of themself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic often searched for as well as gesticulated and also sputtered towards his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." In all honesty, when the last shot underwent him, past him, that was the only moment I really believed I can easily succeed the match," Djokovic said.It required long exchanges loaded with excellent ball-striking, quick decrease shots-- Alcaraz's often tended to be even more productive, occasionally so good Djokovic decreased to even provide pursuit-- as well as enormous sprinting, sliding, extending defense at both ends. They served so well that neither got equalized once: Djokovic saved 8 breather points, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, possibly, was actually exactly how precisely each men participated in, regardless of the ability of the opposition and pressure of the occasion.The only shame, maybe, for the followers-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Help make indisputable, this encounter between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a significant final.Those in the stands entered into the show, repetitively breaking out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, producing an orchestral fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz sought to position a rebound, his followers started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat umpire Damien Dumusois from time to time told individuals to stay noiseless during the course of the action.Yet the location additionally ended up being as quiet as a movie theater between factors, enough so that play was put off quickly when the sky close anticipation was actually punctured by a young kid's crying.Both guys played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to arrive at one decrease try and down payment it over the web for a champion, he indulged the rowdy response through aiming his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand victor on the go to cover a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swayed both arms expenses to motivate individuals that actually were standing up and also screaming.The very first set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with legendary tries and legendary games. One game lasted 18 aspects spread over greater than a number of exciting minutes, featuring five rest possibilities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to hold for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he thus usually is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body offer, however Djokovic moved only enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand gain champion. After two mistakes through Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a volley winner and also counted on encounter his family members along with a clenched fist conducted high.Another collection, and another tiebreaker, later, and also 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 as well as took it to his lips for a caress.