.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam championships as well as various other titles, for every one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, definitely desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last considerable accomplishment missing out on from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly received one at grow older 37, and it doesn't matter a little bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and equally matched men's tennis singles ultimate at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my heart, my spirit, my body system, my family-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Astonishing war. Incredible fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable occupation presently included a males's- report 24 Grand Slam prizes as well as the most weeks spent atop in the positions by any type of male or girl. It additionally actually had a Summer Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was a bronze-- as well as he produced it clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that cycle at the Games. He lost to the resulting gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's get through this one.' That's why today, prior to the suit, I did certainly not think as nervous as I would generally think, given that I had secured a medal." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the ideal leg that required surgical treatment for a torn curve 2 months back, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second cycle as well as removed his longtime rival in straight sets. Now Djokovic is actually the earliest male to gain the single people gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- and he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his 1st occupation gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, due to one last forehand champion, Djokovic turned towards his group in the positions-- sitting in front of his better half and their pair of children-- dropped his racket and also knelt on the clay. As mental as ever, he wailed as well as covered his face, at that point progressed and also took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swung the flag." In the hard moments, he gave it an extra press," Alcaraz said through his own rips. "It harms to lose enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 minutes in spite of being determined in only pair of sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to adhere to up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in last year's ultimate at the All England Club, however Djokovic gained when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the internet site used for ping pong during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was a fascinating competition, including one of the best to ever do it in Djokovic, and the very best at the moment in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it might possess been frustrating for Djokovic to locate himself once again around the web coming from a younger, faster version of themself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic frequently found as well as gesticulated and also sputtered toward his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Truthfully, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was actually the only minute I really presumed I can gain the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long exchanges filled with fantastic ball-striking, quick decrease shots-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to be much more successful, sometimes so great Djokovic dropped to also give hunt-- as well as significant sprinting, sliding, stretching defense at both ends. They served so well that not either got equalized the moment: Djokovic saved eight rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, possibly, was actually exactly how precisely both males participated in, in spite of the talent of the hostility as well as pressure of the occasion.The simply pity, perhaps, for the fans-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Help make no mistake, this encounter in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the positions became part of the show, frequently breaking out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, producing an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a rebound, his advocates started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois sometimes advised individuals to stay soundless in the course of the action.Yet the area also ended up being as silent as a movie theater in between points, enough in order that play was postponed briefly when the sky thick with anticipation was actually punctured through a young kid's crying.Both guys participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz raced to arrive at one reduce go and down payment it over the net for a champion, he indulged in the rowdy reaction by directing his right forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the run to cap a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swayed both arms expenses to encourage individuals who already were actually standing up and also screaming.The initial set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, packed with epic shots and impressive activities. One video game lasted 18 factors topped greater than a loads thrilling moments, featuring five break odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic managed to accommodate for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in , as he so usually is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body serve, however Djokovic slid only good enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit victor. After 2 oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery winner and turned to experience his household with a first hosted high.Another collection, and also one more tiebreaker, eventually, and also Djokovic possessed that award that he wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and took it to his lips for a caress.