.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam champions as well as various other titles, for each of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, really wished an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last notable success overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually got one at grow older 37, and also it does not matter a little bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing as well as equally matched guys's tennis singles ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my physical body, my household-- my every little thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Amazing battle. Extraordinary fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable profession currently featured a guys's- record 24 Grand Slam prizes and also the best full weeks spent atop in the positions through any man or even woman. It also currently contained a Summer season Olympics medal, coming from 2008, but it was a bronze-- as well as he made it crystal clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because cycle at the Video games. He dropped to the eventual 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 facing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I was like, 'OK, permit's get through this one.' That's why today, just before the suit, I performed not believe as tense as I will generally feel, since I had actually safeguarded a medal." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the correct knee that required surgery for a torn meniscus 2 months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd round and also removed his longtime opponent in organized sets. Currently Djokovic is actually the earliest male to gain the singles gold in his sport because 1908-- and also he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, due to one last forehand victor, Djokovic turned towards his crew in the positions-- partaking front of his wife as well as their pair of little ones-- fell his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he wailed as well as covered his face, then advanced and ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the tough seconds, he offered it an extra push," Alcaraz claimed via his own rips. "It injures to lose like this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty minutes even with being actually chosen in only 2 sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to adhere to up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2014's ultimate at the All of England Club, but Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the web site utilized for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an enthralling competition, including among the very best to ever do it in Djokovic, and also the most effective presently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it can have been disheartening for Djokovic to locate themself once more across the web from a much younger, speedier model of himself. Possibly that's why Djokovic frequently looked up as well as gestured and also murmured towards his guest box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was the only minute I really assumed I can succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It required long swaps full of wonderful ball-striking, quick drop chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to be more effective, occasionally thus good Djokovic dropped to also provide pursuit-- and also tremendous sprinting, moving, flexing defense at both ends. They offered so effectively that not either got recovered cost the moment: Djokovic spared 8 breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, maybe, was exactly how easily both men played, regardless of the ability of the opposition and tension of the occasion.The just shame, maybe, for the enthusiasts-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Create indisputable, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the stands 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, producing a theatrical fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz sought to install a revival, his followers began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat umpire Damien Dumusois sometimes told individuals to continue to be quiet during the course of the action.Yet the area also became as quiet as a movie theater between points, enough to ensure that play was actually put off for a while when the air thick with apprehension was punctured by a young kid's crying.Both guys played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to arrive at one decrease try as well as down payment it over the net for a winner, he indulged in the raucous response through pointing his best 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 sudden death, he swung both arms cost to promote individuals that presently were standing up as well as screaming.The initial collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, filled with legendary tries and legendary activities. One activity lasted 18 factors spread over more than a number of mesmerizing moments, consisting of five rest odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic took care of to hold for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he therefore often is, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body serve, but Djokovic moved simply enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand return champion. After pair of blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a volley victor as well as counted on face his family members along with a clenched fist hosted high.Another collection, as well as yet another tiebreaker, later on, and Djokovic had that medal that he wished, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also took it to his lips for a caress.