.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam championships and various other headlines, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, truly preferred an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last substantial success missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately got one at grow older 37, and also never mind a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and also evenly matched men's ping pong single people last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my body, my loved ones-- my every thing-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Incredible war. Astonishing battle." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding occupation currently featured a men's- file 24 Grand Slam prizes and the best weeks invested atop in the positions through any guy or girl. It likewise presently contained a Summer months Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- and also he created 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 Gamings. He shed to the ultimate gold champion each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic said, "I was like, 'OK, allow's get through this set.' That's why today, before the suit, I performed certainly not feel as stressed as I will ordinarily experience, given that I had protected an award." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the appropriate knee that needed surgical procedure for a torn lens 2 months back, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second round and eliminated his long time competitor in organized sets. Right now Djokovic is the earliest guy to gain the single people gold in his sport given that 1908-- and he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, due to one last forehand champion, Djokovic transformed towards his team in the positions-- sitting in front of his other half and their 2 youngsters-- dropped his racket as well as knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he shed tears as well as covered his face, then advanced and also snatched a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the difficult moments, he gave it an added push," Alcaraz claimed through his own rips. "It hurts to drop similar to this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments regardless of being decided in simply 2 collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to comply with up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in last year's ultimate at the All England Nightclub, however Djokovic succeeded when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition secured at Roland Garros, the website utilized for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an enthralling matchup, including some of the greatest to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the very best currently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could possibly possess been actually annoying for Djokovic to discover themself once again throughout the internet from a younger, faster model of himself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic often looked up and also gesticulated as well as sputtered toward his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only second I actually presumed I may win the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long swaps filled with exceptional ball-striking, nimble reduce gos-- Alcaraz's usually tended to become extra successful, occasionally so excellent Djokovic declined to even give chase-- and also significant sprinting, moving, extending self defense at both ends. They served thus well that not either acquired equalized the moment: Djokovic spared eight rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, perhaps, was how safely both males played, in spite of the skill of the opposition and tension of the occasion.The simply embarassment, probably, for the followers-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Create indisputable, this encounter in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the stands entered into the show, repeatedly bursting out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, generating an orchestral fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz attempted to install a comeback, his followers started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois occasionally helped remind people to stay silent in the course of the action.Yet the location likewise became as silent as a theatre in between points, sufficient to ensure play was put off for a while when the sky close apprehension was pierced through a young kid's crying.Both guys played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to reach one decline go and down payment it over the internet for a champion, he basked in the rowdy response through pointing his ideal forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand winner on the run to cover a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both arms cost to encourage individuals that actually were standing as well as screaming.The first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, full of legendary chances and also legendary games. One activity lasted 18 factors topped much more than a lots mesmerizing mins, including 5 break possibilities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in , as he thus usually is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body offer, however Djokovic moved just enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit victor. After pair of mistakes by Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a battery winner as well as counted on face his household along with a first had high.Another collection, and an additional sudden death, later on, and Djokovic possessed that medal that he wished, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also took it to his lips for a caress.