.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam championships and also other labels, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, really desired an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last notable success overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually obtained one at grow older 37, as well as it does not matter a bit how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and evenly matched men's ping pong songs final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my soul, my soul, my body, my household-- my every little thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Fabulous struggle. Incredible fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive profession presently featured a men's- record 24 Conquest prizes and the best full weeks spent atop in the rankings through any guy or even woman. It additionally presently contained a Summertime Olympics award, from 2008, but it was a bronze-- as well as he made it clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that cycle at the Games. He dropped to the eventual gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic said, "I was like, 'OK, permit's make it through this.' That is actually why today, prior to the match, I carried out not think as stressed as I would ordinarily think, since I had secured a medal." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the right knee that called for surgical treatment for a torn meniscus 2 months back, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the 2nd round as well as eliminated his long time opponent in organized sets. Currently Djokovic is the oldest guy to gain the songs gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- and also he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his 1st profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, because of one final forehand victor, Djokovic turned towards his team in the positions-- partaking front of his spouse and also their two little ones-- lost his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he sobbed and covered his face, after that advanced and also nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic waved the flag." In the challenging seconds, he offered it an extra press," Alcaraz claimed via his own splits. "It hurts to drop such as this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 mins even with being decided in merely 2 sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to follow up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2014's last at the All of England Nightclub, but Djokovic succeeded when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event kept at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating match, including among the most ideal to ever do it in Djokovic, as well as the very best right now in Alcaraz. Indeed, it could have been annoying for Djokovic to locate themself once again all over the internet from a more youthful, faster model of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic frequently found and gestured and also murmured toward his guest box.Still, he triumphed." In all honesty, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only moment I actually thought I can easily win the match," Djokovic said.It needed long exchanges loaded with exceptional ball-striking, skilled decline shots-- Alcaraz's tended to be extra effective, occasionally therefore excellent Djokovic declined to also provide pursuit-- and also enormous sprinting, moving, extending self defense at each ends. They offered therefore well that neither received equalized once: Djokovic saved eight break points, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, probably, was how safely both men participated in, despite the ability of the hostility and tension of the occasion.The simply shame, possibly, for the fans-- as well as naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, instead of the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Make no mistake, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the positions became part of the show, repetitively breaking out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, producing a sonant fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a resurgence, his followers began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois sometimes reminded people to stay noiseless during the action.Yet the place likewise ended up being as quiet as a theatre in between points, enough so that play was postponed for a while when the sky thick with apprehension was pierced through a young kid's crying.Both guys played to the crowd. When Alcaraz raced to reach one decrease chance as well as deposit it over the net for a champion, he indulged in the rowdy reaction by pointing his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand winner on the run to cover a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms expenses to promote folks that presently were actually standing and also screaming.The initial collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, loaded with legendary tries as well as impressive games. One video game lasted 18 points spread over much more than a number of magical moments, including five break possibilities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to carry for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he thus frequently is actually, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body system serve, but Djokovic glided only sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return winner. After 2 errors by Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a volley victor and looked to encounter his family along with a fist had high.Another set, as well as another tiebreaker, later on, and Djokovic had that medal that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as took it to his lips for an embrace.