.PARIS-- For each of his Conquest championships as well as other labels, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, truly preferred an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final significant achievement missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually obtained one at grow older 37, and also it matters not a little the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and also equally matched guys's tennis songs final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my soul, my spirit, my body, my household-- my every thing-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Awesome struggle. Astonishing match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive occupation presently featured a guys's- report 24 Conquest trophies as well as the most full weeks invested atop in the ranks by any kind of guy or even girl. It additionally actually included a Summer season Olympics award, from 2008, however it was a bronze-- as well as he produced it crystal clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 in that cycle at the Gamings. He dropped to the possible gold champion each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I felt like, 'OK, allow's get through this set.' That is actually why today, prior to the fit, I carried out not feel as worried as I would generally believe, considering that I had protected a medal." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the ideal knee that called for surgical treatment for a torn lens pair of months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second round as well as eliminated his long time competitor in straight collections. Currently Djokovic is actually the earliest male to win the songs gold in his sporting activity given that 1908-- and he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, with the help of one final forehand winner, Djokovic switched towards his crew in the positions-- partaking front of his other half and also their two youngsters-- lost his noise as well as knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever before, he cried and also covered his face, at that point increased as well as took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic swung the banner." In the tough instants, he provided it an additional push," Alcaraz mentioned with his personal tears. "It injures to shed similar to this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, fifty moments despite being chosen in simply 2 sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All of England Club, however Djokovic succeeded when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court event secured at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually a fascinating competition, featuring among the best to ever perform it in Djokovic, and the most ideal right now in Alcaraz. Certainly, it could possess been actually frustrating for Djokovic to discover themself once more throughout the internet from a more youthful, faster model of themself. Maybe that's why Djokovic frequently sought out and gestured as well as sputtered towards his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Honestly, when the last shot experienced him, past him, that was the only moment I actually believed I may gain the match," Djokovic said.It needed long swaps full of fantastic ball-striking, quick reduce chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to be extra productive, often therefore excellent Djokovic decreased to even give hunt-- as well as remarkable sprinting, sliding, flexing defense at each ends. They served so properly that not either received recovered cost the moment: Djokovic spared eight break factors, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, possibly, was actually how easily each men played, regardless of the talent of the resistance as well as stress of the occasion.The simply embarassment, probably, for the enthusiasts-- and also typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Produce indisputable, this encounter between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the stands entered into the program, consistently breaking out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, producing an operatic fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to mount a rebound, his proponents began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois periodically advised people to stay silent in the course of the action.Yet the area likewise became as quiet as a theater between aspects, enough to make sure that play was put off briefly when the sky close apprehension was actually pierced by a child's crying.Both males played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one decline try as well as deposit it over the internet for a champion, he basked in the raucous response through directing his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand champion on the run to top a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swung both upper arms overhead to encourage folks that actually were standing up and screaming.The first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, full of epic tries as well as legendary activities. One activity lasted 18 factors spread over greater than a number of mesmerizing mins, featuring 5 rest odds for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he therefore typically is, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body system offer, but Djokovic glided only good enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand profit victor. After 2 oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley winner and also turned to experience his family along with a first had high.Another collection, and an additional tiebreaker, eventually, and Djokovic possessed that award that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem finished calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and delivered it to his lips for an embrace.