.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest champions and also various other labels, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, really wished an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last significant achievement missing out on from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually obtained one at grow older 37, as well as no matter a little bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating as well as evenly matched males's tennis singles ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my physical body, my loved ones-- my everything-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Astonishing struggle. Amazing match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive profession already featured a males's- report 24 Conquest trophies as well as the absolute most full weeks devoted atop in the rankings through any male or woman. It additionally currently consisted of a Summer Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was actually a bronze-- and also he produced it clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 in that round at the Video games. He dropped to the resulting gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's make it through this one.' That's why today, prior to the suit, I carried out not experience as concerned as I would generally believe, due to the fact that I had actually safeguarded an award." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the correct leg that needed surgical treatment for a torn crescent two months earlier, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second round and also removed his long time rival in organized collections. Now Djokovic is actually the oldest guy to win the songs gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his 1st occupation gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, with the help of one final forehand champion, Djokovic switched toward his crew in the positions-- being in front of his partner and their 2 kids-- dropped his racket and knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever, he shed tears and also covered his face, at that point increased and also took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic waved the flag." In the difficult minutes, he offered it an added press," Alcaraz pointed out by means of his own rips. "It injures to drop enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 mins even with being actually decided in merely 2 collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to follow up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2014's final at the All of England Club, yet Djokovic won when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the internet site used for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an appealing competition, including some of the best to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the very best presently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it could possibly possess been actually irritating for Djokovic to find himself once again across the net from a younger, speedier version of himself. Maybe that is actually why Djokovic frequently sought out as well as gestured and also muttered toward his attendee box.Still, he prevailed." Frankly, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was the only instant I in fact believed I may gain the match," Djokovic said.It required long swaps full of superb ball-striking, nimble reduce tries-- Alcaraz's usually tended to become much more productive, often so excellent Djokovic dropped to also offer pursuit-- as well as tremendous sprinting, moving, extending protection at both ends. They offered thus effectively that neither got equalized as soon as: Djokovic saved 8 rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, possibly, was just how safely each males participated in, despite the ability of the hostility and also pressure of the occasion.The only embarassment, probably, for the followers-- and also typically, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set style, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Help make no mistake, this experience in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a significant final.Those in the stands entered into the program, consistently breaking out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, developing an operatic fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz sought to position a revival, his advocates started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois from time to time helped remind individuals to stay soundless during the action.Yet the spot likewise came to be as silent as a theater in between factors, enough to make sure that play was put off temporarily when the sky close anticipation was actually pierced by a young kid's crying.Both males participated in to the group. When Alcaraz raced to arrive at one drop shot and down payment it over the web for a winner, he indulged in the rowdy response by directing his right index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand winner on the run to cap a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he waved both arms overhead to encourage individuals who already were standing up as well as screaming.The 1st collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with impressive shots and epic games. One video game lasted 18 aspects topped more than a dozen magical minutes, featuring five break possibilities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic dealt with to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in , as he thus commonly is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a physical body offer, yet Djokovic slid merely enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit winner. After two blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery victor and also looked to face his loved ones with a first conducted high.Another set, and one more sudden death, eventually, and also Djokovic had that medal that he desired, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also took it to his lips for a caress.