.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest championships and also other titles, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, actually yearned for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last notable achievement missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately obtained one at grow older 37, as well as 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 evenly matched guys's ping pong single people last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my center, my soul, my body system, my family-- my every thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Incredible war. Incredible match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional profession already featured a guys's- record 24 Conquest prizes and also the best full weeks invested atop in the ranks through any sort of man or even woman. It additionally actually consisted of a Summertime Olympics medal, coming from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- as well as he made it crystal clear that just had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because cycle at the Games. He lost to the eventual gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's survive this.' That is actually why today, before the suit, I carried out not think as stressed as I will normally feel, because I had gotten a medal." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the correct leg that demanded surgical operation for a torn lens two months earlier, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second cycle as well as eliminated his longtime rival in straight collections. Now Djokovic is the oldest man to win the singles gold in his sport due to the fact that 1908-- and also he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his first job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, due to one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned toward his staff in the positions-- partaking front of his partner as well as their pair of kids-- fell his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever, he wept and also covered his face, at that point progressed and nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic swung the banner." In the difficult instants, he offered it an extra press," Alcaraz pointed out with his own rips. "It injures to drop such as this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 minutes regardless of being made a decision in just two collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2015's ultimate at the All England Club, however Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the site utilized for ping pong during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an appealing competition, including some of the very best to ever before perform it in Djokovic, as well as the most effective right now in Alcaraz. Definitely, it can possess been actually annoying for Djokovic to locate themself once again throughout the net from a younger, speedier version of themself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic often sought out and also gesticulated and whispered towards his attendee box.Still, he prevailed." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was actually the only second I really believed I can easily gain the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long swaps filled with superb ball-striking, quick reduce tries-- Alcaraz's tended to be a lot more effective, in some cases thus excellent Djokovic decreased to even provide hunt-- and significant sprinting, gliding, flexing self defense at both ends. They offered therefore effectively that neither obtained recovered cost when: Djokovic conserved eight break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, perhaps, was just how cleanly both men played, even with the talent of the resistance and also tension of the occasion.The merely shame, probably, for the supporters-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Make indisputable, this meet between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a significant final.Those in the stands entered into the show, repetitively bursting out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, producing a sonant fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to install a resurgence, his proponents began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat peacemaker Damien Dumusois sometimes helped remind people to continue to be noiseless during the action.Yet the area additionally ended up being as silent as a theater between factors, enough to ensure play was actually put off temporarily when the sky close expectancy was pierced by a child's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to hit one decrease try and also deposit it over the web for a champion, he indulged the rowdy reaction by pointing his ideal index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand winner on the run to cover a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he waved both upper arms expenses to urge people that currently were standing as well as screaming.The initial collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, full of epic gos as well as epic activities. One activity lasted 18 points spread over more than a number of thrilling moments, consisting of 5 rest chances for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic handled to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he therefore commonly is actually, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body offer, yet Djokovic moved just sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand yield victor. After pair of mistakes through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley winner as well as counted on encounter his family with a first conducted high.Another set, and an additional tiebreaker, later, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he preferred, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also brought it to his lips for a caress.