.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam championships and various other titles, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, definitely preferred an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last considerable accomplishment missing out on from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately acquired one at grow older 37, and also never mind a little how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and also equally matched men's tennis singles ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my heart, my spirit, my physical body, my family members-- my every thing-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Unbelievable struggle. Amazing battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive job currently included a males's- report 24 Conquest trophies and also the absolute most weeks spent atop in the ranks through any sort of man or even lady. It additionally currently included a Summer months Olympics medal, from 2008, however it was a bronze-- as well as 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 because cycle at the Gamings. He shed to the eventual gold victor 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 said, "I resembled, 'OK, permit's make it through this.' That is actually why today, before the match, I performed not believe as anxious as I would commonly think, considering that I had actually protected an award." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the appropriate leg that demanded surgery for a torn curve two months earlier, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second round and also eliminated his longtime rival in straight collections. Right now Djokovic is actually the oldest man to gain the songs gold in his sport because 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his first occupation gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, with the help of one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned toward his crew in the positions-- being in front of his spouse as well as their pair of little ones-- lost his racket and knelt on the clay. As psychological as ever, he burst into tears as well as covered his face, after that advanced as well as grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic swung the banner." In the tough seconds, he offered it an extra press," Alcaraz claimed via his very own rips. "It hurts to drop such as this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, fifty mins in spite of being actually determined in merely 2 sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to adhere to up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All of England Club, however Djokovic gained when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event held at Roland Garros, the website utilized for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an appealing matchup, including among the very best to ever before do it in Djokovic, and the most ideal currently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it might have been actually discouraging for Djokovic to locate themself once again all over the web coming from a much younger, faster model of himself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic often sought out as well as gesticulated and also sputtered towards his guest box.Still, he triumphed." Frankly, when the swan song went through him, past him, that was actually the only second I really thought I may gain the suit," Djokovic said.It required long substitutions filled with excellent ball-striking, nimble decrease tries-- Alcaraz's tended to become a lot more successful, often thus good Djokovic dropped to also give pursuit-- and also incredible sprinting, sliding, extending protection at each ends. They provided therefore well that not either received broken even when: Djokovic conserved eight break points, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, probably, was just how safely each guys participated in, in spite of the ability of the hostility and also stress of the occasion.The just embarassment, perhaps, for the fans-- and also typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Make no mistake, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands entered into the series, continuously bursting out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, producing a theatrical fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to mount a return, his proponents started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat peacemaker Damien Dumusois sometimes helped remind individuals to stay silent during the action.Yet the place also ended up being as peaceful as a movie theater in between factors, enough to ensure that play was actually put off briefly when the sky close apprehension was pierced through a young kid's crying.Both men participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to get to one reduce chance and also deposit it over the web for a champion, he indulged the raucous reaction through aiming his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand victor on the run to top a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swung both upper arms expenses to motivate folks who already were actually standing and also screaming.The first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with legendary tries and epic video games. One game lasted 18 factors topped greater than a loads enchanting moments, consisting of 5 break chances for Alcaraz, before Djokovic dealt with to accommodate for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he therefore frequently is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body system serve, however Djokovic glided only enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand gain winner. After 2 blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a battery champion as well as turned to encounter his family members along with a clenched fist had high.Another set, and also yet another tiebreaker, later on, and Djokovic had that award that he yearned for, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold as well as brought it to his lips for an embrace.