.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam champions and other labels, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, definitely desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final substantial accomplishment missing coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately got one at grow older 37, and also it matters not a little how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and uniformly matched males's tennis single people ultimate at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my heart, my spirit, my physical body, my family-- my every thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Unbelievable battle. Astonishing fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding job actually featured a guys's- file 24 Conquest prizes and one of the most full weeks invested atop in the ranks by any male or lady. It likewise presently had a Summer season Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- as well as he produced it very clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because round at the Video games. He dropped to the resulting gold victor each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I felt like, 'OK, allow's make it through this set.' That is actually why today, prior to the complement, I did not think as nervous as I would normally believe, because I had actually gotten an award." In Paris, wearing a grey sleeve over the appropriate knee that required surgical treatment for a torn lens two months ago, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the 2nd round as well as removed his long time rival in straight sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest man to win the singles gold in his sport due to the fact that 1908-- and he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his very first profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, with the help of one last forehand winner, Djokovic switched toward his group in the positions-- partaking front of his spouse as well as their two kids-- lost his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he shed tears and covered his face, at that point increased and also got a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic waved the flag." In the hard seconds, he provided it an added push," Alcaraz mentioned with his own rips. "It injures to shed similar to this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty mins in spite of being actually chosen in simply 2 sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2013's ultimate at the All England Club, but Djokovic succeeded when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the internet site utilized for tennis throughout these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an appealing match, including among the greatest to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the very best currently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could possibly have been disheartening for Djokovic to find himself once more throughout the net from a more youthful, speedier version of themself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic regularly found and gestured and also whispered towards his attendee box.Still, he came out on top." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was actually the only second I really believed I can easily win the suit," Djokovic said.It called for long substitutions filled with terrific ball-striking, ingenious reduce tries-- Alcaraz's tended to be extra prosperous, often so really good Djokovic declined to even provide pursuit-- as well as remarkable sprinting, sliding, extending defense at both ends. They provided so well that neither obtained equalized the moment: Djokovic conserved 8 rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, perhaps, was actually just how precisely each men played, even with the talent of the resistance and stress of the occasion.The simply shame, maybe, for the followers-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest events. Produce no mistake, this experience between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands entered into the program, repetitively bursting out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, creating an operatic fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz tried to install a resurgence, his supporters started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois sometimes advised people to continue to be soundless throughout the action.Yet the area also came to be as silent as a cinema between aspects, enough to ensure play was delayed briefly when the air close anticipation was pierced through a little one's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to arrive at one reduce try and down payment it over the net for a victor, he indulged the raucous reaction by pointing his appropriate forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the go to top a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swayed both upper arms cost to urge people that actually were standing up and screaming.The first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, packed with impressive tries and impressive activities. One activity lasted 18 factors topped greater than a lots mesmerizing mins, consisting of five rest opportunities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic dealt with to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he thus often is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a physical body serve, however Djokovic moved only sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return champion. After pair of blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a battery victor and also turned to face his family along with a clenched fist had high.Another set, and also one more sudden death, eventually, and also Djokovic possessed that award that he wished, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also carried it to his lips for a kiss.