.PARIS-- For each of his Grand Slam champions and other labels, for every one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, actually wished an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final notable achievement overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately received one at age 37, as well as never mind a little how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and evenly matched males's tennis songs final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my soul, my spirit, my body system, my loved ones-- my whatever-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Amazing struggle. Incredible fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable occupation actually included a guys's- report 24 Grand Slam trophies and also the absolute most weeks spent atop in the ranks through any type of man or lady. It also currently consisted of a Summertime Olympics medal, coming from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- and also he made it crystal clear that simply had not been 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 possible gold champion each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I was like, 'OK, allow's get through this.' That is actually why today, before the complement, I performed not feel as worried as I will generally feel, due to the fact that I had actually gotten a medal." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the best leg that required surgical operation for a torn meniscus 2 months back, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd round and eliminated his long time rival in organized sets. Currently Djokovic is the earliest man to gain the single people gold in his sporting activity since 1908-- as well as he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his 1st profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, with the help of one last forehand champion, Djokovic switched towards his group in the positions-- partaking front of his other half and their pair of little ones-- fell his racket and knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he wailed and also covered his face, then rose and also took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic waved the banner." In the challenging minutes, he offered it an extra press," Alcaraz stated through his very own splits. "It harms to shed enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, fifty moments despite being actually chosen in just 2 collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to adhere to up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2014's ultimate at the All of England Nightclub, but Djokovic won when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the website made use of for ping pong throughout these Olympics.Sunday's contest was a fascinating matchup, including among the most ideal to ever do it in Djokovic, and also the greatest presently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it can possess been frustrating for Djokovic to discover himself once again around the web from a younger, speedier variation of himself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic frequently found as well as gesticulated as well as murmured towards his attendee box.Still, he came out on top." Frankly, when the last shot underwent him, past him, that was the only moment I in fact assumed I may gain the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long swaps full of wonderful ball-striking, nimble decrease chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become more effective, sometimes thus excellent Djokovic declined to even provide chase-- as well as incredible sprinting, gliding, extending protection at each ends. They offered therefore effectively that neither got broken even once: Djokovic conserved 8 rest factors, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, perhaps, was actually just how precisely each males participated in, in spite of the skill of the opposition as well as pressure of the occasion.The merely embarassment, probably, for the followers-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set layout, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest events. Create no mistake, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the positions became part of the series, repetitively breaking out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, developing a sonant fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz sought to mount a comeback, his supporters began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois occasionally told individuals to continue to be quiet in the course of the action.Yet the location likewise came to be as silent as a movie theater in between aspects, good enough so that play was actually delayed temporarily when the sky thick with apprehension was actually punctured through a young child's crying.Both males participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to reach one reduce chance as well as down payment it over the net for a champion, he basked in the raucous response through aiming his right forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cap a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms overhead to urge individuals who actually were actually standing as well as screaming.The 1st set alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, loaded with impressive shots and also epic games. One video game lasted 18 factors spread over greater than a number of exciting mins, consisting of five break opportunities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to hold for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he therefore typically is actually, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body system serve, however Djokovic slid only enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand yield victor. After two blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley champion and looked to experience his household with a hand conducted high.Another set, and also one more sudden death, later on, and Djokovic possessed that medal that he really wanted, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and brought it to his lips for a caress.