.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest championships as well as other labels, for each of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, definitely wanted an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last significant achievement skipping from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately got one at age 37, and it doesn't matter a bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and uniformly matched men's ping pong songs final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my center, my spirit, my body, my household-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Amazing struggle. Awesome battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding career currently included a men's- record 24 Grand Slam prizes as well as the best weeks spent atop in the ranks through any guy or lady. It likewise already consisted of a Summer season Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- and also he made it very clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because cycle at the Gamings. He shed to the eventual gold champion each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic said, "I felt like, 'OK, allow's get through this set.' That's why today, before the suit, I carried out certainly not think as concerned as I will generally experience, because I had actually gotten an award." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the ideal leg that required surgical operation for a torn lens pair of months earlier, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the 2nd cycle as well as eliminated his longtime competitor in straight sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to gain the singles gold in his sport due to the fact that 1908-- and also he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his legs after beating 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 turned toward his crew in the stands-- sitting in front of his spouse and also their two youngsters-- lost his racket as well as knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he sobbed and also covered his face, at that point rose and also got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic waved the banner." In the challenging moments, he offered it an additional press," Alcaraz stated with his own tears. "It harms to drop such as this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, fifty mins even with being made a decision in only pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to adhere to up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in last year's last at the All England Club, but Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the site used for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an enthralling matchup, featuring among the very best to ever before perform it in Djokovic, as well as the most effective currently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it might possess been actually discouraging for Djokovic to discover themself once more throughout the internet from a younger, speedier model of himself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic often searched for and also gestured and also murmured toward his attendee box.Still, he came out on top." In all honesty, when the swan song went through him, past him, that was the only second I really believed I can easily succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It called for long substitutions filled with excellent ball-striking, deft decrease chances-- Alcaraz's tended to become even more effective, sometimes thus great Djokovic declined to also offer hunt-- as well as incredible sprinting, moving, stretching self defense at both ends. They offered therefore well that not either obtained recovered cost when: Djokovic spared 8 break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, perhaps, was exactly how cleanly both men played, regardless of the skill of the resistance as well as pressure of the occasion.The merely embarassment, maybe, for the supporters-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set layout, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Help make no mistake, this experience between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands entered into the program, consistently bursting out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, generating an operatic fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz sought to place a rebound, his fans started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat umpire Damien Dumusois occasionally advised individuals to continue to be soundless in the course of the action.Yet the area also came to be as silent as a theatre in between points, enough in order that play was actually delayed temporarily when the sky close expectancy was pierced by a little one's crying.Both men participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz raced to get to one decline go and also down payment it over the web for a victor, he indulged in the rowdy reaction through aiming his ideal index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the go to top a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he waved both arms overhead to encourage people that presently were actually standing up and screaming.The initial set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, packed with impressive chances and also epic video games. One activity lasted 18 points topped greater than a loads thrilling moments, including five rest opportunities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic dealt with to accommodate for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he so usually is actually, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a physical body serve, however Djokovic moved merely sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return champion. After pair of blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley winner and also counted on encounter his family along with a clenched fist had high.Another set, and another tiebreaker, later, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he preferred, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also brought it to his lips for an embrace.