.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest champions as well as various other titles, for each of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, truly wanted an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last notable success skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually got one at age 37, as well as it matters not a little bit how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and equally matched males's tennis single people last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my center, my spirit, my physical body, my loved ones-- my whatever-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Unbelievable battle. Extraordinary fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent profession already included a males's- record 24 Grand Slam prizes and the most full weeks invested atop in the ranks by any male or even woman. It likewise presently included a Summer months Olympics award, coming from 2008, however it was a bronze-- as well as he produced it crystal clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that round at the Gamings. He lost to the possible gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I was like, 'OK, allow's survive this set.' That's why today, prior to the complement, I carried out not experience as stressed as I would typically experience, since I had protected a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the best leg that demanded surgical procedure for a torn meniscus two months back, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second round and also removed his longtime opponent in organized collections. Right now Djokovic is actually the oldest guy to win the songs gold in his sport considering that 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial career gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, because of one final forehand victor, Djokovic turned toward his group in the positions-- sitting in front of his other half and their pair of kids-- dropped his racket and also knelt on the clay. As psychological as ever, he sobbed and covered his face, then advanced as well as ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic waved the flag." In the difficult moments, he offered it an extra push," Alcaraz mentioned through his personal tears. "It harms to lose similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 minutes regardless of being actually made a decision in only two sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to follow up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in last year's ultimate at the All England Nightclub, but Djokovic won when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the web site made use of for ping pong during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an enthralling match, featuring among the very best to ever perform it in Djokovic, as well as the greatest at the moment in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it can have been discouraging for Djokovic to find themself once more around the internet from a more youthful, faster variation of himself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic regularly looked up and gesticulated as well as murmured toward his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was actually the only second I actually assumed I may gain the match," Djokovic said.It called for long substitutions filled with excellent ball-striking, quick decline shots-- Alcaraz's usually tended to become much more productive, in some cases thus excellent Djokovic decreased to also give hunt-- and also incredible sprinting, gliding, extending defense at each ends. They provided so effectively that neither acquired equalized the moment: Djokovic conserved 8 breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, possibly, was actually how cleanly both guys played, despite the skill of the resistance and pressure of the occasion.The only pity, maybe, for the supporters-- and also typically, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set style, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Help make no mistake, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the positions entered into the show, repeatedly breaking out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, creating a theatrical fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz tried to position a comeback, his promoters started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois occasionally advised people to remain quiet throughout the action.Yet the spot likewise ended up being as quiet as a theatre between factors, enough so that play was delayed quickly when the air close anticipation was actually punctured through a young kid's crying.Both men participated in to the group. When Alcaraz raced to hit one decrease try as well as deposit it over the web for a victor, he indulged in the rowdy response by aiming his right 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 second sudden death, he waved both arms cost to motivate individuals who currently were standing and screaming.The first collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, loaded with epic chances and impressive activities. One game lasted 18 aspects topped greater than a lots magical minutes, consisting of five rest possibilities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic handled to hold for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in , as he so typically is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a physical body provide, however Djokovic moved only good enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand yield winner. After two mistakes through Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery victor and also looked to encounter his family with a clenched fist had high.Another set, and also yet another tiebreaker, later, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he really wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem finished sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as carried it to his lips for a caress.