.PARIS-- For each of his Conquest championships and also various other titles, for every one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, truly wished an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final considerable achievement missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually obtained one at age 37, as well as no matter a bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling as well as uniformly matched men's tennis songs last at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my heart, my spirit, my body system, my loved ones-- my whatever-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Amazing battle. Incredible battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable profession presently featured a men's- record 24 Grand Slam trophies and the most weeks invested atop in the positions through any male or lady. It likewise already consisted of a Summer season Olympics medal, coming from 2008, but it was actually a bronze-- and he created it very clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that cycle at the Games. He lost to the eventual gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's get through this.' That is actually why today, prior to the match, I did certainly not feel as concerned as I will ordinarily feel, considering that I had actually protected a medal." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the appropriate knee that needed surgery for a torn curve pair of months ago, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second round as well as removed his longtime rival in straight sets. Now Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to win the singles gold in his sporting activity since 1908-- and also he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st career gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, with the help of one final forehand winner, Djokovic switched towards his group in the stands-- partaking front of his spouse and also their pair of children-- fell his racket and also knelt on the clay. As psychological as ever, he sobbed and covered his face, then progressed as well as grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swung the flag." In the challenging moments, he offered it an added press," Alcaraz stated via his personal tears. "It hurts to lose enjoy this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 minutes regardless of being actually made a decision in merely two collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to follow up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2015's last at the All of England Nightclub, yet Djokovic gained when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing match, featuring one of the greatest to ever perform it in Djokovic, as well as the most ideal currently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it could possess been actually frustrating for Djokovic to locate himself once again around the net coming from a much younger, speedier version of themself. Maybe that is actually why Djokovic regularly searched for as well as gestured and also murmured towards his guest box.Still, he triumphed." Frankly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was actually the only second I in fact assumed I can succeed the match," Djokovic said.It required long exchanges filled with fantastic ball-striking, nimble decrease shots-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be extra successful, often thus great Djokovic declined to even give pursuit-- and tremendous sprinting, sliding, flexing protection at both ends. They provided so effectively that neither got recovered cost once: Djokovic spared eight break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, maybe, was just how cleanly each guys played, despite the ability of the hostility and tension of the occasion.The just shame, possibly, for the supporters-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Produce no mistake, this experience between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands became part of the show, continuously breaking out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, creating an orchestral fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz sought to install a rebound, his proponents started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow flags. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois from time to time advised people to remain noiseless during the course of the action.Yet the area likewise ended up being as peaceful as a cinema between points, enough in order that play was actually postponed temporarily when the air close apprehension was actually punctured by a little one's crying.Both guys played to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to reach one decrease shot as well as down payment it over the internet for a victor, he indulged the raucous reaction by pointing his ideal index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand victor on the go to top a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both arms cost to urge individuals that currently were standing and screaming.The very first set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, packed with epic tries and also legendary activities. One video game lasted 18 points spread over greater than a lots magical minutes, featuring 5 rest odds for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic handled to hold for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he thus typically is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a physical body provide, yet Djokovic slid merely enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand gain champion. After pair of blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a battery winner as well as turned to face his family with a fist conducted high.Another collection, and yet another sudden death, later, and also Djokovic possessed that award that he really wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also brought it to his lips for an embrace.