.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam champions and also various other titles, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, truly wanted an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last considerable accomplishment skipping from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly got one at grow older 37, and it doesn't matter a bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and evenly matched males's ping pong single people final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I put my center, my spirit, my physical body, my family members-- my whatever-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Unbelievable battle. Extraordinary battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable career presently included a men's- record 24 Conquest prizes as well as the most full weeks invested atop in the ranks by any sort of male or even girl. It additionally already contained a Summer season Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and he made it clear that just had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that cycle at the Video games. He dropped to the ultimate gold champion each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I was like, 'OK, allow's make it through this one.' That is actually why today, just before the match, I did not believe as stressed as I would ordinarily think, considering that I had protected an award." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the ideal leg that needed surgical operation for a torn crescent 2 months ago, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second cycle and also eliminated his longtime opponent in straight sets. Currently Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to win the songs gold in his sport because 1908-- and also he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his 1st profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, with the help of one final forehand winner, Djokovic switched toward his team in the positions-- sitting in front of his wife and also their pair of little ones-- lost his racket and also knelt on the clay. As psychological as ever before, he cried and also covered his face, after that increased and also got a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic waved the banner." In the hard moments, he provided it an additional push," Alcaraz mentioned via his very own tears. "It injures to drop similar to this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty mins regardless of being chosen in simply two collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to follow up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in last year's last at the All England Club, yet Djokovic won when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the site made use of for tennis throughout these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing match, featuring one of the most effective to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the most effective right now in Alcaraz. Indeed, it could possess been actually annoying for Djokovic to discover themself once again throughout the web coming from a younger, faster version of himself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic frequently found and also gestured as well as murmured towards his visitor box.Still, he came out on top." Truthfully, when the last shot looked at him, past him, that was the only moment I in fact believed I may succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long exchanges loaded with excellent ball-striking, nimble decline tries-- Alcaraz's tended to become much more productive, occasionally therefore good Djokovic decreased to also give chase-- and also incredible sprinting, sliding, extending defense at each ends. They provided therefore well that not either obtained recovered cost as soon as: Djokovic conserved eight breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, perhaps, was how precisely both men played, despite the skill of the resistance as well as stress of the occasion.The just embarassment, perhaps, for the enthusiasts-- and also typically, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set layout, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Create indisputable, this experience in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the positions entered into the show, repetitively bursting out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, creating a theatrical fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz sought to place a return, his advocates began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois occasionally reminded individuals to remain soundless in the course of the action.Yet the place likewise ended up being as silent as a theater in between aspects, enough to ensure that play was actually postponed temporarily when the sky thick with apprehension was punctured through a kid's crying.Both males participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to reach one drop try and also deposit it over the net for a winner, he indulged in the rowdy response through directing his right forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cap a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swung both upper arms cost to promote people that already were actually standing as well as screaming.The very first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, filled with legendary chances and legendary activities. One activity lasted 18 aspects topped much more than a lots exciting minutes, including five break possibilities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic took care of to hold for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in , as he therefore often is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body provide, however Djokovic slid simply sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand profit winner. After 2 mistakes through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a battery winner and also turned to encounter his family along with a hand had high.Another collection, and an additional tiebreaker, eventually, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he wished, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also delivered it to his lips for an embrace.