.PARIS-- For each of his Conquest championships and various other labels, for each one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, truly yearned for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last considerable accomplishment missing out on from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately obtained one at grow older 37, and also no matter a little bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and also equally matched guys's tennis single people last at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my center, my spirit, my physical body, my family-- my every thing-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Astonishing battle. Amazing battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional occupation presently included a men's- file 24 Conquest trophies as well as the best weeks spent atop in the positions through any kind of male or even female. It likewise already included a Summer season Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- and also he made it crystal clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because round at the Gamings. He lost to the ultimate gold winner 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 encountering Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I was like, 'OK, allow's get through this.' That's why today, before the match, I carried out not feel as nervous as I would generally think, considering that I had secured a medal." In Paris, wearing a grey sleeve over the correct leg that demanded surgical treatment for a torn crescent 2 months earlier, Djokovic faced Nadal in the 2nd round as well as eliminated his longtime rival in straight sets. Currently Djokovic is actually the oldest male to gain the singles gold in his sporting activity since 1908-- as well as he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his very first career gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, because of one final forehand victor, Djokovic switched towards his crew in the stands-- being in front of his wife and their two kids-- lost his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever before, he shed tears as well as covered his face, after that advanced and also grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic waved the flag." In the challenging minutes, he provided it an additional push," Alcaraz mentioned through his own rips. "It harms to drop similar to this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments despite being actually made a decision in just pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to comply with up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in in 2013's last at the All of England Club, however Djokovic gained when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event secured at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for tennis throughout these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an enthralling competition, including among the very best to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and the most effective right now in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could possess been annoying for Djokovic to discover themself once more around the web coming from a more youthful, faster model of themself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic frequently found and also gestured and also muttered toward his visitor box.Still, he came out on top." Truthfully, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was actually the only instant I in fact believed I can easily succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It called for long exchanges filled with terrific ball-striking, skilled drop chances-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be a lot more prosperous, occasionally therefore great Djokovic dropped to even give hunt-- as well as remarkable sprinting, gliding, extending protection at each ends. They provided thus well that not either acquired equalized as soon as: Djokovic spared 8 rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, probably, was actually exactly how precisely both males participated in, regardless of the ability of the resistance and also tension of the occasion.The simply pity, maybe, for the supporters-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set style, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest events. Produce indisputable, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the stands became part of the program, frequently bursting out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, producing a sonant fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz tried to position a rebound, his proponents started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow flags. Seat peacemaker Damien Dumusois periodically told people to stay silent in the course of the action.Yet the location additionally came to be as peaceful as a theater between points, sufficient to ensure that play was actually put off temporarily when the sky thick with expectancy was pierced through a kid's crying.Both males participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to arrive at one reduce shot as well as deposit it over the web for a winner, he basked in the rowdy reaction through aiming his ideal forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cap a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swayed both arms overhead to promote individuals who presently were standing up and screaming.The initial collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with impressive chances and epic games. One game lasted 18 aspects spread over greater than a lots magical minutes, featuring 5 rest chances for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to accommodate for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he therefore frequently is actually, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a physical body offer, however Djokovic moved only good enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit victor. After pair of errors through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley winner as well as counted on experience his household along with a hand held high.Another set, and yet another sudden death, eventually, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he wanted, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as took it to his lips for an embrace.