.PARIS-- For each of his Grand Slam championships and also various other titles, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, really preferred an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final notable accomplishment skipping from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly received one at grow older 37, and also it does not matter a little bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and uniformly matched guys's tennis singles final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my center, my spirit, my body, my household-- my every thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Amazing fight. Unbelievable fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive profession already included a men's- record 24 Grand Slam trophies and also one of the most full weeks invested atop in the ranks through any kind of man or woman. It likewise presently had a Summer months Olympics award, coming from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- and he created it very clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because cycle at the Games. He shed to the resulting gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's get through this.' That is actually why today, just before the complement, I carried out not believe as worried as I would usually believe, due to the fact that I had actually secured a medal." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the correct knee that called for surgical procedure for a torn lens 2 months ago, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd round and removed his longtime opponent in straight sets. Now Djokovic is actually the oldest guy to gain the singles gold in his sport considering that 1908-- and he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, because of one final forehand champion, Djokovic switched towards his crew in the stands-- being in front of his spouse and their 2 children-- dropped his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he wailed and covered his face, then increased and grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic waved the flag." In the challenging moments, he gave it an additional press," Alcaraz claimed with his own splits. "It harms to lose enjoy this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, 50 mins despite being actually made a decision in just pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to adhere to up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All England Club, yet Djokovic succeeded when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the site made use of for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing competition, featuring some of the most ideal to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and the very best currently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it could possibly have been irritating for Djokovic to locate themself once more all over the internet from a more youthful, speedier variation of himself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic regularly searched for and gesticulated and also murmured toward his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Frankly, when the last shot experienced him, past him, that was the only minute I in fact presumed I can gain the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long substitutions loaded with excellent ball-striking, nimble decline gos-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be even more effective, often so really good Djokovic decreased to also give pursuit-- and also enormous sprinting, gliding, extending self defense at each ends. They provided so effectively that neither acquired recovered cost when: Djokovic spared 8 break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, maybe, was exactly how easily each guys participated in, even with the ability of the hostility and also tension of the occasion.The just pity, perhaps, for the enthusiasts-- and naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set layout, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Help make indisputable, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the positions entered into the program, repetitively bursting out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, making a theatrical fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz attempted to place a rebound, his proponents started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois from time to time told folks to remain quiet in the course of the action.Yet the area also became as peaceful as a theatre in between aspects, sufficient to ensure play was put off temporarily when the air close expectancy was actually pierced through a young child's crying.Both males participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one decline go and deposit it over the internet for a winner, he indulged the raucous reaction by aiming his best forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand winner on the run to cover a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swayed both arms cost to motivate individuals that presently were standing up and screaming.The initial collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, loaded with legendary tries and impressive video games. One video game lasted 18 points spread over much more than a lots magical moments, consisting of five break odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic handled to contain for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he so typically is actually, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body offer, yet Djokovic moved only sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand gain victor. After pair of oversights by Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a battery champion and also counted on face his loved ones with a first held high.Another set, and yet another tiebreaker, later on, and also Djokovic possessed that medal that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and brought it to his lips for an embrace.