.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest championships and also other titles, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, truly desired an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final significant accomplishment overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at age 37, and also it doesn't matter a little bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and also evenly matched males's tennis songs last at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I put my soul, my soul, my physical body, my household-- my whatever-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Amazing battle. Amazing battle." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding profession presently featured a men's- report 24 Conquest prizes as well as the best weeks invested atop in the ranks by any sort of guy or even woman. It likewise actually included a Summer season Olympics award, from 2008, but it was actually a bronze-- and he produced 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 because round at the Video games. He shed to the eventual gold champion each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I was like, 'OK, permit's make it through this set.' That's why today, prior to the fit, I carried out certainly not think as worried as I will ordinarily believe, since I had actually secured an award." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the best leg that needed surgical treatment for a torn curve pair of months earlier, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second cycle as well as eliminated his longtime rival in straight collections. Right now Djokovic is the oldest male to win the single people gold in his sporting activity given that 1908-- as well as he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, thanks to one last forehand champion, Djokovic transformed toward his staff in the positions-- partaking front of his wife as well as their 2 little ones-- lost his racket as well as knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever, he wept as well as covered his face, after that progressed and also snatched a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic swung the flag." In the tough seconds, he offered it an additional press," Alcaraz claimed through his very own tears. "It harms to lose like this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments despite being actually decided in only two sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in last year's ultimate at the All of England Club, but Djokovic gained when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court event held at Roland Garros, the website used for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was a fascinating match, including one of the best to ever do it in Djokovic, and also the most effective right now in Alcaraz. Indeed, it might possess been actually annoying for Djokovic to discover himself once again around the web coming from a much younger, speedier version of himself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic regularly searched for and gestured and murmured towards his visitor box.Still, he triumphed." In all honesty, when the last shot experienced him, past him, that was actually the only minute I really assumed I can win the suit," Djokovic said.It required long swaps full of wonderful ball-striking, nimble reduce gos-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be much more successful, in some cases thus great Djokovic dropped to even give chase-- as well as incredible sprinting, moving, extending defense at both ends. They served so effectively that not either obtained equalized the moment: Djokovic conserved 8 break points, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, probably, was exactly how safely both guys played, even with the talent of the opposition and pressure of the occasion.The just embarassment, perhaps, for the followers-- as well as normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Make indisputable, this encounter between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands entered into the show, repeatedly bursting out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, generating an operatic fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz sought to mount a comeback, his fans began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois from time to time helped remind individuals to stay silent during the action.Yet the spot likewise came to be as silent as a movie theater in between aspects, enough so that play was actually delayed briefly when the air close apprehension was actually pierced by a little one's crying.Both guys played to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to reach one decline chance and also down payment it over the web for a champion, he basked in the rowdy response by aiming his best forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cover a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swung both upper arms overhead to urge individuals who currently were actually standing as well as screaming.The initial set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, packed with impressive gos and also epic games. One game lasted 18 points spread over much more than a number of enchanting mins, including 5 rest chances for Alcaraz, before Djokovic managed to carry for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in , as he thus commonly is, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body system serve, however Djokovic slid simply good enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand yield champion. After pair of mistakes through Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley winner as well as relied on experience his household with a fist held high.Another collection, and also an additional tiebreaker, later on, and also Djokovic possessed that medal that he yearned for, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and delivered it to his lips for an embrace.