.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam championships and other titles, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, really wished an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last significant achievement overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally obtained one at grow older 37, as well as it doesn't matter a little how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling as well as equally matched guys's ping pong single people ultimate at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my physical body, my family members-- my every little thing-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Awesome battle. Awesome fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional career actually included a guys's- document 24 Conquest trophies as well as the most weeks invested atop in the ranks by any guy or even female. It additionally already contained a Summer months Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- as well as he created it crystal clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that round at the Gamings. He shed to the eventual gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's get through this.' That's why today, prior to the fit, I carried out not believe as worried as I will commonly think, due to the fact that I had protected an award." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the correct leg that required surgical treatment for a torn lens pair of months ago, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the 2nd cycle and eliminated his longtime opponent in straight collections. Right now Djokovic is the earliest male to win the singles gold in his sport since 1908-- and also he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st occupation gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, due to one last forehand victor, Djokovic switched towards his group in the stands-- partaking front of his partner as well as their pair of youngsters-- dropped his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever, he cried and also covered his face, then advanced and also snatched a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the hard minutes, he offered it an extra push," Alcaraz pointed out through his very own rips. "It hurts to lose similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 mins despite being actually decided in just 2 sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in last year's final at the All of England Club, yet Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court event kept at Roland Garros, the web site made use of for ping pong during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an enthralling matchup, including one of the greatest to ever before do it in Djokovic, and also the greatest presently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it could possibly possess been discouraging for Djokovic to discover themself once again around the net from a more youthful, speedier model of himself. Maybe that is actually why Djokovic often searched for as well as gesticulated and also murmured towards his attendee box.Still, he prevailed." Frankly, when the last shot experienced him, past him, that was the only second I really presumed I may win the match," Djokovic said.It needed long swaps loaded with superb ball-striking, nimble drop shots-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be much more productive, at times therefore great Djokovic dropped to also provide chase-- and remarkable sprinting, gliding, extending defense at each ends. They offered so effectively that neither got equalized when: Djokovic saved eight rest factors, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, possibly, was actually exactly how cleanly both guys played, in spite of the ability of the resistance as well as tension of the occasion.The merely embarassment, maybe, for the followers-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Create indisputable, this experience between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands became part of the program, frequently breaking out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, creating a sonant fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a comeback, his proponents started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois sometimes told folks to remain quiet during the course of the action.Yet the location also became as silent as a theatre between points, sufficient to ensure that play was actually delayed for a while when the sky thick with anticipation was punctured through a young child's crying.Both men played to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to reach one decrease go as well as down payment it over the internet for a winner, he basked in the raucous response by pointing his correct forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cover a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swung both upper arms overhead to motivate folks that currently were standing up and screaming.The very first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, full of impressive chances and impressive activities. One game lasted 18 factors spread over greater than a loads magical moments, consisting of five break odds for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic dealt with to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in , as he thus often is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body system serve, but Djokovic glided merely enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand gain victor. After two blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley champion and counted on encounter his family members along with a first held high.Another collection, and also another tiebreaker, later, and Djokovic had that award that he yearned for, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also delivered it to his lips for a caress.