.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest champions as well as other headlines, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, really wanted an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final substantial achievement overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally got one at age 37, as well as it matters not a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating as well as evenly matched males's tennis songs final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my center, my spirit, my body system, my family members-- my everything-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Extraordinary war. Unbelievable fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding occupation currently featured a men's- record 24 Conquest prizes and also the absolute most full weeks devoted atop in the positions through any male or even female. It additionally presently included a Summer Olympics award, coming from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and also he produced it very clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that round at the Games. He dropped to the eventual gold victor each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I resembled, 'OK, let's survive this.' That's why today, just before the complement, I carried out not believe as concerned as I would normally feel, given that I had actually secured an award." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the ideal leg that called for surgical treatment for a torn curve pair of months ago, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second cycle as well as eliminated his longtime rival in straight sets. Currently Djokovic is actually the oldest man to win the single people gold in his sporting activity given that 1908-- as well as he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, with the help of one last forehand champion, Djokovic transformed toward his staff in the stands-- sitting in front of his wife and also their pair of children-- lost his racket and also knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever, he burst into tears and also covered his face, at that point increased and grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic waved the banner." In the difficult moments, he gave it an additional press," Alcaraz stated via his personal splits. "It hurts to shed enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 minutes even with being chosen in simply two sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in last year's final at the All England Club, however Djokovic gained when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the internet site utilized for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was a fascinating matchup, including one of the best to ever do it in Djokovic, and the most ideal right now in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it could have been actually annoying for Djokovic to locate himself once again across the internet coming from a more youthful, speedier variation of themself. Maybe that is actually why Djokovic regularly looked up as well as gesticulated and muttered towards his visitor box.Still, he triumphed." In all honesty, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was the only minute I really assumed I can easily gain the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long exchanges loaded with exceptional ball-striking, deft reduce chances-- Alcaraz's tended to be extra productive, occasionally so excellent Djokovic declined to even offer pursuit-- and also remarkable sprinting, moving, stretching defense at both ends. They provided so properly that neither acquired equalized as soon as: Djokovic conserved 8 breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, maybe, was how easily both guys participated in, in spite of the ability of the hostility and stress of the occasion.The only embarassment, maybe, for the supporters-- as well as typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, instead of the best-of-five at Conquest events. Help make indisputable, this experience in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a primary final.Those in the stands entered into the program, continuously breaking out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, producing an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz tried to mount a revival, his fans began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Seat peacemaker Damien Dumusois occasionally told people to remain quiet during the course of the action.Yet the location also ended up being as silent as a cinema between factors, enough to ensure that play was put off briefly when the sky thick with anticipation was punctured through a young kid's crying.Both guys participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one drop try and down payment it over the net for a winner, he indulged in the raucous reaction by aiming his appropriate forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand victor on the run to cap a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swung both arms expenses to promote individuals who actually were standing and screaming.The first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, loaded with legendary gos as well as legendary activities. One video game lasted 18 factors topped much more than a dozen enchanting mins, including 5 rest chances for Alcaraz, before Djokovic dealt with to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in , as he therefore typically is, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body provide, however Djokovic slid merely good enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand gain champion. After two blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley champion and looked to face his household with a first hosted high.Another collection, and yet another sudden death, later on, as well as Djokovic possessed that award that he really wanted, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also carried it to his lips for an embrace.