.PARIS-- For each of his Conquest championships as well as other labels, for each of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, actually preferred an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last significant accomplishment missing coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally acquired one at age 37, and it does not matter a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling as well as evenly matched men's tennis songs last at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my heart, my spirit, my physical body, my family members-- my everything-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Extraordinary war. Incredible match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable career actually included a males's- report 24 Conquest trophies and one of the most full weeks invested atop in the rankings by any guy or even female. It also already contained a Summer Olympics medal, coming from 2008, but it was a bronze-- as well as he produced it crystal clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because cycle at the Games. He lost to the ultimate gold champion 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 mentioned, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's get through this one.' That's why today, prior to the suit, I performed not think as stressed as I would normally think, given that I had actually protected a medal." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the best leg that called for surgical operation for a torn meniscus 2 months earlier, Djokovic faced Nadal in the 2nd cycle and removed his long time rival in straight collections. Now Djokovic is the oldest guy to win the singles gold in his sporting activity given that 1908-- and he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, with the help of one last forehand champion, Djokovic turned toward his group in the stands-- being in front of his wife as well as their two children-- lost his noise and also knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he sobbed and also covered his face, after that rose as well as took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the tough minutes, he offered it an extra press," Alcaraz pointed out through his very own rips. "It injures to shed such as this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 moments in spite of being actually decided in just two sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2014's final at the All England Club, however Djokovic gained when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the site utilized for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an enthralling match, featuring among the most effective to ever do it in Djokovic, and the most ideal right now in Alcaraz. Certainly, it can have been annoying for Djokovic to discover himself once again around the web coming from a much younger, speedier version of himself. Maybe that is actually why Djokovic often sought out and gestured and sputtered toward his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only instant I in fact thought I may succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It called for long swaps loaded with fantastic ball-striking, skilled drop shots-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be more successful, occasionally thus really good Djokovic declined to even provide chase-- as well as enormous sprinting, moving, flexing protection at each ends. They provided therefore effectively that neither acquired recovered cost when: Djokovic saved eight break factors, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, possibly, was actually how easily each males participated in, in spite of the talent of the opposition as well as pressure of the occasion.The simply shame, perhaps, for the enthusiasts-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set layout, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Create indisputable, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the stands became part of the show, repetitively breaking out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, making a sonant fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz sought to position a return, his supporters began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat peacemaker Damien Dumusois occasionally reminded individuals to continue to be noiseless in the course of the action.Yet the place likewise ended up being as peaceful as a theatre in between points, enough to make sure that play was actually put off quickly when the air close anticipation was actually punctured through a young child's crying.Both men participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz raced to get to one reduce go as well as deposit it over the internet for a winner, he indulged the rowdy response through pointing his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand victor on the go to cover a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swayed both arms cost to urge folks who already were actually standing as well as screaming.The initial collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, full of legendary gos as well as legendary games. One activity lasted 18 aspects spread over more than a dozen magical minutes, consisting of 5 break chances for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic handled to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he thus often is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a physical body provide, however Djokovic moved just good enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand return champion. After pair of oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley winner and looked to face his household with a fist had high.Another set, and also one more sudden death, later on, and Djokovic had that medal that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as brought it to his lips for an embrace.