.PARIS-- For each of his Grand Slam champions and also various other labels, for every one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, really yearned for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final significant achievement skipping from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly received one at grow older 37, and also it does not matter a little the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and also equally matched guys's tennis singles last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my body, my family members-- my every little thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Amazing fight. Extraordinary fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding job presently featured a males's- record 24 Conquest trophies and also one of the most weeks spent atop in the rankings through any sort of guy or even woman. It also presently included a Summer months Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- and also he produced it 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 in that cycle at the Gamings. He dropped to the ultimate gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I resembled, 'OK, let's make it through this.' That's why today, before the suit, I did certainly not feel as tense as I would normally feel, considering that I had actually safeguarded a medal." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the appropriate leg that required surgical operation for a torn lens 2 months back, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the 2nd cycle and removed his long time rival in organized sets. Now Djokovic is the earliest man to gain the songs gold in his sporting activity due to the fact that 1908-- as well as he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, because of one final forehand champion, Djokovic switched towards his crew in the positions-- partaking front of his partner as well as their two little ones-- lost his racket as well as knelt on the clay. As psychological as ever before, he shed tears and also covered his face, then increased and also got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the challenging instants, he offered it an extra push," Alcaraz claimed via his very own splits. "It injures to shed enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 mins in spite of being actually determined in only two sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to adhere to up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2015's last at the All England Nightclub, but Djokovic gained when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the internet site utilized for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an enthralling matchup, featuring among the best to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and the most effective currently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it might possess been irritating for Djokovic to locate himself once again around the web from a much younger, faster variation of himself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic often sought out as well as gestured and also sputtered towards his visitor box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the swan song looked at him, past him, that was the only instant I in fact presumed I can easily succeed the match," Djokovic said.It needed long substitutions full of outstanding ball-striking, skilled reduce shots-- Alcaraz's tended to become more successful, in some cases thus great Djokovic decreased to also provide pursuit-- and remarkable sprinting, sliding, extending protection at each ends. They offered so well that neither received broken even as soon as: Djokovic spared eight break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most outstanding, maybe, was actually how easily both guys played, despite the talent of the resistance and also pressure of the occasion.The just pity, perhaps, for the enthusiasts-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Produce indisputable, this encounter in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the stands became part of the program, repeatedly breaking out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, generating an operatic fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz sought to place a rebound, his proponents started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois occasionally reminded folks to stay soundless during the course of the action.Yet the area additionally came to be as peaceful as a theater between factors, sufficient to make sure that play was delayed quickly when the sky thick with apprehension was pierced by a little one's crying.Both guys participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz raced to reach one decline go and down payment it over the web for a winner, he indulged the rowdy response by pointing his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cover a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms overhead to motivate people who currently were standing up and also screaming.The 1st collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, loaded with impressive gos as well as legendary games. One game lasted 18 points spread over more than a dozen enchanting moments, including 5 rest possibilities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic dealt with to contain for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in , as he so often is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body system provide, yet Djokovic moved just sufficient to his left to slap a cross-court forehand return victor. After pair of blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery victor and also turned to experience his family members with a first held high.Another collection, and one more sudden death, later, and also Djokovic had that award that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem completed sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also delivered it to his lips for a kiss.