.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam championships as well as various other headlines, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, definitely desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final considerable achievement overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at age 37, as well as it does not matter a bit how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and also uniformly matched men's ping pong single people ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my body, my family members-- my everything-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Incredible struggle. Awesome match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional job actually featured a guys's- record 24 Conquest trophies and also the most full weeks devoted atop in the rankings through any sort of guy or even woman. It additionally already consisted of a Summer Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and he produced it clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that round at the Gamings. He lost to the eventual gold champion each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I felt like, 'OK, let's make it through this set.' That is actually why today, prior to the complement, I performed not think as concerned as I would usually experience, due to the fact that I had gotten a medal." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the best leg that demanded surgical treatment for a torn lens 2 months earlier, Djokovic faced Nadal in the 2nd cycle as well as removed his long time opponent in organized collections. Now Djokovic is the oldest man to win the songs gold in his sport due to the fact that 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first occupation gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, with the help of one final forehand champion, Djokovic transformed toward his crew in the positions-- being in front of his better half and their pair of children-- dropped his noise and also knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever before, he wept as well as covered his face, at that point progressed and also got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic swung the flag." In the challenging seconds, he provided it an added press," Alcaraz pointed out by means of his own splits. "It harms to drop like this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, fifty minutes even with being determined in just pair of sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to follow up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All England Club, but Djokovic gained when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the internet site utilized for tennis throughout these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an enthralling match, featuring one of the most effective to ever do it in Djokovic, and the very best right now in Alcaraz. Definitely, it might have been actually discouraging for Djokovic to locate himself once again all over the web from a much younger, speedier version of themself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic often found and also gesticulated as well as sputtered towards his visitor box.Still, he triumphed." Truthfully, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was the only second I in fact presumed I can win the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges full of exceptional ball-striking, skilled reduce chances-- Alcaraz's often tended to become more prosperous, at times thus excellent Djokovic decreased to even give chase-- and remarkable sprinting, sliding, extending self defense at both ends. They served so effectively that neither received broken even as soon as: Djokovic spared 8 breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, perhaps, was exactly how safely each men played, in spite of the talent of the opposition as well as stress of the occasion.The merely pity, possibly, for the followers-- and also typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Make indisputable, this experience between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a primary final.Those in the stands entered into the series, frequently bursting out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, making an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to position a comeback, his advocates started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois periodically helped remind individuals to stay noiseless throughout the action.Yet the spot additionally became as quiet as a theatre between factors, enough to ensure that play was actually postponed for a while when the air thick with expectancy was pierced through a little one's crying.Both men participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz raced to reach one reduce shot and also down payment it over the web for a champion, he indulged in the raucous response by directing his right index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand champion on the run to top a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swayed both upper arms overhead to motivate individuals who currently were actually standing as well as screaming.The first set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with legendary chances and epic video games. One activity lasted 18 aspects spread over much more than a loads mesmerizing moments, consisting of 5 break opportunities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he thus typically is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body serve, but Djokovic slid just good enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand yield champion. After 2 blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley champion as well as turned to encounter his household along with a clenched fist hosted high.Another collection, as well as one more sudden death, later, and also Djokovic had that medal that he desired, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and brought it to his lips for a caress.