.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest champions as well as various other titles, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, truly desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final notable achievement missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly received one at age 37, as well as no matter a little bit how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and evenly matched guys's tennis single people final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my soul, my spirit, my body, my loved ones-- my everything-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Fabulous struggle. Amazing fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding job currently featured a guys's- report 24 Conquest trophies as well as one of the most full weeks spent atop in the ranks by any kind of guy or female. It additionally actually consisted of a Summer season Olympics award, coming from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- as well as he produced it crystal clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that round at the Video games. He dropped to the eventual gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I was like, 'OK, permit's make it through this.' That is actually why today, before the suit, I did certainly not think as stressed as I would normally feel, considering that I had actually secured a medal." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the right leg that needed surgery for a torn curve two months ago, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second round and eliminated his longtime rival in organized sets. Right now Djokovic is the oldest man to gain the songs gold in his sporting activity since 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his first career gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, due to one last forehand champion, Djokovic turned towards his crew in the positions-- partaking front of his partner and also their two children-- lost his noise as well as knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he shed tears and also covered his face, after that rose as well as ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swung the flag." In the challenging seconds, he offered it an additional press," Alcaraz claimed with his very own splits. "It harms to lose similar to this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 mins despite being actually made a decision in simply pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to comply with up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in last year's final at the All England Nightclub, however Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court competition held at Roland Garros, the web site used for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an enthralling match, including one of the most ideal to ever before perform it in Djokovic, as well as the best currently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it could have been actually discouraging for Djokovic to discover himself once again around the net coming from a younger, speedier variation of himself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic frequently sought out and gesticulated and muttered toward his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Frankly, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was the only minute I really believed I can win the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long swaps filled with terrific ball-striking, ingenious drop gos-- Alcaraz's often tended to become a lot more prosperous, at times therefore really good Djokovic dropped to even provide pursuit-- as well as enormous sprinting, gliding, flexing self defense at both ends. They offered thus effectively that neither got equalized when: Djokovic saved eight break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most outstanding, maybe, was exactly how safely each men played, despite the talent of the resistance as well as tension of the occasion.The just shame, maybe, for the followers-- and typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Make indisputable, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the stands entered into the program, repeatedly bursting out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, producing an orchestral fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz attempted to place a resurgence, his proponents started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat umpire Damien Dumusois periodically reminded folks to stay noiseless during the course of the action.Yet the location also ended up being as silent as a movie theater in between factors, good enough to make sure that play was postponed temporarily when the air close apprehension was punctured through a kid's crying.Both males participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to arrive at one drop try and also down payment it over the net for a champion, he basked in the rowdy response by aiming his right forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the run to cover a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms cost to urge folks who presently were standing up and also screaming.The 1st collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with legendary gos as well as epic activities. One activity lasted 18 factors topped greater than a loads exciting minutes, featuring 5 rest opportunities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in , as he therefore usually is, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body provide, yet Djokovic glided simply good enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return champion. After pair of mistakes by Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a battery victor as well as looked to experience his family along with a fist hosted high.Another set, and yet another sudden death, later on, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem finished ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and brought it to his lips for a caress.