.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest championships as well as other titles, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, actually wished an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final considerable success skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly obtained one at grow older 37, and also it doesn't matter a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and uniformly matched guys's tennis single people ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my heart, my spirit, my physical body, my family members-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Incredible struggle. Fabulous fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding job currently featured a men's- report 24 Grand Slam trophies and also the absolute most weeks devoted atop in the ranks through any kind of guy or female. It additionally already had a Summer Olympics medal, coming from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and he created it very clear that just had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that round at the Video games. He shed to the ultimate gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I resembled, 'OK, permit's make it through this one.' That's why today, before the suit, I performed certainly not believe as stressed as I would usually feel, since I had protected an award." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the ideal knee that called for surgical operation for a torn meniscus 2 months earlier, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second cycle and also removed his longtime competitor in organized sets. Right now Djokovic is the earliest guy to win the singles gold in his sporting activity given that 1908-- as well as he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his first job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, with the help of one final forehand victor, Djokovic turned towards his crew in the positions-- sitting in front of his partner as well as their pair of little ones-- dropped his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he wept and also covered his face, then progressed as well as nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic swung the banner." In the hard seconds, he provided it an added press," Alcaraz said by means of his own splits. "It hurts to drop enjoy this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments even with being determined in merely pair of collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to follow up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All of England Club, however Djokovic succeeded when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court competition secured at Roland Garros, the website utilized for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an enthralling matchup, featuring among the greatest to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the most ideal presently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it could possess been actually irritating for Djokovic to find himself once again around the internet coming from a younger, speedier model of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic often looked up and gesticulated as well as muttered towards his visitor box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was the only second I in fact believed I can easily win the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long swaps filled with superb ball-striking, skilled decrease gos-- Alcaraz's tended to become a lot more prosperous, sometimes therefore excellent Djokovic declined to even give hunt-- and incredible sprinting, gliding, extending defense at each ends. They provided so effectively that neither acquired recovered cost as soon as: Djokovic saved eight breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, perhaps, was actually just how easily both guys participated in, even with the talent of the hostility and stress of the occasion.The simply embarassment, possibly, for the supporters-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Produce no mistake, this experience 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, frequently breaking out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, developing a theatrical fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to position a return, his followers started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois periodically advised folks to continue to be soundless during the course of the action.Yet the location also ended up being as silent as a theater in between aspects, good enough so that play was delayed for a while when the sky thick with apprehension was pierced through a kid's crying.Both males played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to reach one reduce chance as well as deposit it over the net for a champion, he indulged the rowdy response through aiming his ideal index finger 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 2nd tiebreaker, he swung both upper arms overhead to motivate individuals who already were standing up as well as screaming.The first set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, filled with legendary chances and legendary video games. One activity lasted 18 factors topped greater than a number of enchanting moments, including five rest opportunities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he therefore commonly is, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body system offer, however Djokovic moved only sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit victor. After pair of mistakes through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a battery winner and turned to experience his household along with a hand held high.Another collection, and also an additional tiebreaker, later, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he wanted, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also took it to his lips for a caress.