.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest championships as well as various other labels, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, actually yearned for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last substantial achievement skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at age 37, as well as it matters not a little bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and also evenly matched men's tennis songs ultimate at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my heart, my spirit, my body, my household-- my every little thing-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Amazing fight. Incredible match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent occupation already included a males's- report 24 Grand Slam prizes as well as the absolute most full weeks spent atop in the positions by any type of man or even girl. It likewise currently consisted of a Summer season Olympics award, coming from 2008, but it was a bronze-- and also he created it very clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that round at the Video games. He shed to the possible gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I was like, 'OK, let's get through this.' That's why today, prior to the fit, I did certainly not experience as stressed as I will typically experience, considering that I had actually secured a medal." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the correct leg that required surgical operation for a torn meniscus pair of months earlier, Djokovic faced Nadal in the 2nd round and eliminated his long time opponent in organized sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest male to gain the single people gold in his sport since 1908-- as well as he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st career gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, thanks to one final forehand winner, Djokovic switched toward his staff in the stands-- partaking front of his better half and their 2 kids-- lost his racket as well as knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he burst into tears and also covered his face, then rose as well as grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the difficult instants, he offered it an extra push," Alcaraz claimed with his very own splits. "It harms to lose similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, 50 mins even with being decided in just two collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2015's last at the All England Club, yet Djokovic won when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court event secured at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for ping pong throughout these Olympics.Sunday's competition was a fascinating match, including some of the most effective to ever do it in Djokovic, as well as the best presently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it could possibly have been annoying for Djokovic to find himself once more throughout the web from a much younger, speedier version of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic often looked up and also gestured and also sputtered toward his attendee box.Still, he came out on top." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only instant I really presumed I can easily succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges filled with outstanding ball-striking, nimble decline gos-- Alcaraz's often tended to become extra prosperous, sometimes thus great Djokovic dropped to even offer chase-- and significant sprinting, gliding, stretching defense at each ends. They provided so properly that neither received broken even as soon as: Djokovic conserved eight breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, perhaps, was actually just how precisely each males played, even with the talent of the resistance as well as tension of the occasion.The merely shame, possibly, for the followers-- and typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Create no mistake, this meet between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the stands became part of the series, repeatedly breaking out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, developing a theatrical fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz attempted to position a rebound, his advocates started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois periodically helped remind people to remain silent during the course of the action.Yet the place additionally came to be as peaceful as a theater between aspects, good enough so that play was put off temporarily when the sky thick with expectancy was pierced through a young child's crying.Both guys played to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to hit one decrease try and also down payment it over the net for a victor, he basked in the rowdy reaction by pointing his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand victor on the go to top a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms overhead to urge folks who actually were actually standing up as well as screaming.The initial set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with legendary gos and also legendary activities. One activity lasted 18 aspects spread over greater than a number of enchanting mins, featuring 5 break opportunities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic took care of to contain for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in crunch time, as he therefore commonly is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body system offer, however Djokovic moved only good enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand gain champion. After two errors by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley champion as well as relied on encounter his family members with a hand had high.Another collection, and also an additional sudden death, later, as well as Djokovic had that medal that he preferred, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also delivered it to his lips for an embrace.