.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam championships as well as various other titles, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, definitely wished an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final considerable accomplishment missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly acquired one at age 37, and never mind a bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling as well as equally matched men's ping pong songs final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my center, my soul, my body, my family members-- my everything-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Amazing war. Amazing match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding profession already featured a males's- report 24 Conquest prizes as well as the best full weeks invested atop in the rankings through any male or even woman. It also currently contained a Summer Olympics award, coming from 2008, however it was a bronze-- as well as he created it crystal clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that round at the Gamings. He dropped to the ultimate gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I felt like, 'OK, allow's make it through this.' That's why today, before the complement, I did certainly not believe as anxious as I would generally think, because I had actually protected an award." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the appropriate knee that needed surgical operation for a torn crescent 2 months back, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second cycle and eliminated his long time competitor in straight collections. Currently Djokovic is the oldest guy to gain the single people gold in his sporting activity due to the fact that 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st career gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, thanks to one final forehand champion, Djokovic switched towards his staff in the stands-- being in front of his partner and also their two children-- dropped his racket and knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever before, he burst into tears and covered his face, then increased and got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic swung the flag." In the challenging instants, he provided it an additional push," Alcaraz mentioned by means of his own rips. "It harms to drop enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 moments in spite of being actually made a decision in just 2 sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to follow up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2014's ultimate at the All England Club, however Djokovic won when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating matchup, featuring some of the most effective to ever do it in Djokovic, as well as the most effective right now in Alcaraz. Indeed, it could possess been annoying for Djokovic to find themself once again all over the web coming from a much younger, faster variation of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic regularly sought out and gesticulated and muttered toward his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Frankly, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was the only minute I really assumed I can easily succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It called for long swaps full of excellent ball-striking, skilled reduce chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become much more effective, in some cases thus excellent Djokovic dropped to also provide chase-- and also significant sprinting, gliding, extending protection at both ends. They served therefore effectively that neither got equalized once: Djokovic spared 8 breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, possibly, was actually how easily each guys participated in, even with the talent of the opposition and also stress of the occasion.The only pity, maybe, for the fans-- as well as typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest events. Help make indisputable, this encounter in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a significant final.Those in the positions became part of the show, repeatedly breaking out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, creating an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to position a revival, his followers began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair umpire Damien Dumusois sometimes helped remind individuals to remain soundless during the action.Yet the spot additionally came to be as peaceful as a cinema in between factors, good enough to ensure play was actually put off for a while when the air thick with anticipation was actually punctured by a little one's crying.Both guys played to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one decline shot and down payment it over the internet for a winner, he indulged the rowdy response through aiming his best forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cap a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms cost to encourage people that actually were standing up and screaming.The initial set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, loaded with legendary chances as well as epic video games. One activity lasted 18 factors spread over more than a dozen thrilling minutes, featuring 5 rest chances for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic managed to hold for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in , as he so commonly is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body serve, however Djokovic slid just good enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand gain victor. After two errors through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a battery victor as well as turned to encounter his household along with a hand had high.Another set, and another sudden death, later, and Djokovic possessed that medal that he preferred, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also carried it to his lips for an embrace.