.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam champions as well as other titles, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, truly preferred an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final significant success skipping from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately obtained one at grow older 37, and it doesn't matter a little how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling as well as evenly matched males's tennis single people last at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I put my center, my soul, my body system, my family members-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Unbelievable struggle. Awesome fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive job presently included a males's- document 24 Grand Slam prizes as well as the most full weeks invested atop in the rankings by any type of male or even female. It likewise presently contained a Summer season Olympics award, coming from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and he created it crystal clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because round at the Video games. He lost to the resulting gold victor each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I was like, 'OK, allow's get through this.' That is actually why today, just before the suit, I carried out not feel as tense as I will commonly feel, considering that I had actually safeguarded a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the ideal leg that called for surgery for a torn lens pair of months back, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second round and also removed his longtime opponent in straight collections. Now Djokovic is the oldest male to gain the songs gold in his sport due to the fact that 1908-- and also he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st job gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, because of one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned toward his staff in the positions-- partaking front of his better half as well as their 2 little ones-- dropped his racket and knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever before, he shed tears as well as covered his face, at that point progressed as well as nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic swung the flag." In the challenging seconds, he provided it an added push," Alcaraz said with his personal splits. "It hurts to drop like this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty mins regardless of being actually determined in only pair of collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to adhere to up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in last year's ultimate at the All England Nightclub, yet Djokovic gained when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event kept at Roland Garros, the site made use of for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing match, including some of the most ideal to ever before do it in Djokovic, and the greatest at the moment in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it can have been annoying for Djokovic to locate himself once more around the web from a more youthful, speedier variation of themself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic often searched for as well as gestured and whispered towards his guest box.Still, he came out on top." In all honesty, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was actually the only minute I in fact assumed I can easily succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It required long exchanges loaded with terrific ball-striking, nimble decrease tries-- Alcaraz's tended to be more productive, occasionally thus excellent Djokovic dropped to even provide chase-- and tremendous sprinting, gliding, flexing self defense at both ends. They provided thus well that neither obtained equalized as soon as: Djokovic spared eight rest points, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, possibly, was just how cleanly both men played, even with the talent of the opposition and also pressure of the occasion.The simply embarassment, perhaps, for the fans-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Help make indisputable, this meet between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a primary final.Those in the positions became part of the program, repetitively breaking out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, creating a sonant fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz sought to place a resurgence, his advocates began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois periodically helped remind folks to remain silent during the action.Yet the place likewise came to be as silent as a cinema in between points, good enough to ensure play was actually put off for a while when the sky close anticipation was pierced by a little one's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to reach one reduce go and deposit it over the web for a victor, he indulged in the rowdy reaction through aiming his right forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand victor on the go to cap a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he waved both upper arms expenses to encourage people who already were actually standing as well as screaming.The 1st set alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, loaded with legendary chances as well as legendary video games. One game lasted 18 points spread over much more than a loads thrilling mins, featuring 5 rest odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic managed to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in , as he therefore typically is, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a physical body offer, however Djokovic moved simply enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand gain champion. After two oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley winner as well as turned to face his loved ones along with a hand held high.Another collection, as well as yet another tiebreaker, later on, as well as Djokovic possessed that award that he yearned for, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold as well as brought it to his lips for an embrace.