.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam championships and also various other headlines, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, really wanted an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final substantial success missing out on from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually got one at age 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 a fascinating and evenly matched men's ping pong single people last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my center, my spirit, my body, my family members-- my every thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Astonishing war. Incredible battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive career already featured a males's- report 24 Grand Slam prizes and one of the most full weeks devoted atop in the rankings by any sort of man or girl. It likewise already consisted of a Summer Olympics award, from 2008, however it was a bronze-- and he produced it very clear that simply 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 Video games. He lost to the resulting gold victor each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's make it through this one.' That's why today, prior to the fit, I did not experience as nervous as I would usually think, because I had secured an award." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the appropriate leg that called for surgical operation for a torn crescent pair of months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd cycle and removed his longtime opponent in straight sets. Now Djokovic is the earliest man to win the single people gold in his sporting activity given that 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, with the help of one last forehand champion, Djokovic switched towards his team in the stands-- being in front of his wife as well as their pair of youngsters-- fell his noise and also knelt on the clay. As mental as ever before, he sobbed as well as covered his face, then increased and also got a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic waved the flag." In the difficult minutes, he offered it an added push," Alcaraz stated through his very own splits. "It hurts to shed similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments despite being made a decision in simply 2 sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2014's last at the All of England Nightclub, however Djokovic won when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the web site made use of for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an enthralling competition, including some of the greatest to ever do it in Djokovic, and the greatest right now in Alcaraz. Definitely, it could possibly possess been disheartening for Djokovic to discover himself once again throughout the web from a much younger, faster variation of himself. Maybe that's why Djokovic frequently searched for and gestured as well as sputtered towards his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." In all honesty, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only moment I actually believed I may succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It required long substitutions loaded with outstanding ball-striking, nimble decline shots-- Alcaraz's often tended to be more prosperous, sometimes therefore excellent Djokovic dropped to also provide hunt-- as well as tremendous sprinting, gliding, extending protection at each ends. They served thus effectively that not either obtained equalized once: Djokovic conserved eight break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, probably, was actually exactly how safely both males played, despite the skill of the resistance and also stress of the occasion.The just embarassment, possibly, for the supporters-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Help make indisputable, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a significant final.Those in the stands entered into the show, repetitively breaking out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, generating an operatic fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz sought to place a return, his advocates began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois occasionally helped remind individuals to continue to be noiseless during the course of the action.Yet the spot also became as peaceful as a movie theater in between aspects, good enough in order that play was put off for a while when the sky close apprehension was punctured by a young child's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to arrive at one drop try and deposit it over the internet for a champion, he indulged in the raucous reaction through aiming his ideal index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand victor on the go to cap a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he waved both arms expenses to promote individuals who actually were standing as well as screaming.The first collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with impressive shots and epic games. One video game lasted 18 factors topped greater than a number of magical mins, including five break odds for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic handled to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he so commonly is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body offer, but Djokovic glided only good enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand profit victor. After pair of oversights by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery victor as well as looked to face his family with a clenched fist held high.Another set, and also another sudden death, eventually, and also Djokovic possessed that award that he desired, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold as well as took it to his lips for a caress.