.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest champions and various other headlines, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, definitely desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last notable success missing out on from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately received one at grow older 37, and also it does not matter a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and also evenly matched guys's ping pong singles final at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my heart, my spirit, my body, my household-- my whatever-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Amazing struggle. Extraordinary match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding profession presently featured a guys's- report 24 Conquest trophies and the best full weeks devoted atop in the ranks through any man or female. It likewise presently included a Summer season Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and he made it clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 in that round at the Gamings. He shed to the ultimate gold winner 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 dealing with Musetti, Djokovic said, "I was like, 'OK, let's get through this.' That's why today, just before the complement, I carried out certainly not think as worried as I would ordinarily experience, because I had safeguarded a medal." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the best knee that called for surgical procedure for a torn lens pair of months earlier, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the 2nd round as well as removed his long time competitor in straight collections. Currently Djokovic is the earliest man to win the singles gold in his sport considering that 1908-- as well as he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his very first profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, due to one final forehand champion, Djokovic turned towards his group in the positions-- sitting in front of his partner and their two little ones-- lost his noise and knelt on the clay. As mental as ever before, he cried and also covered his face, at that point increased and grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the hard seconds, he offered it an additional push," Alcaraz pointed out via his personal tears. "It injures to drop similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments despite being actually chosen in merely pair of sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to adhere to up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2014's final at the All of England Club, however Djokovic won when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition held at Roland Garros, the site made use of for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually a fascinating match, featuring among the greatest to ever perform it in Djokovic, and also the greatest right now in Alcaraz. Certainly, it might possess been irritating for Djokovic to discover themself once again all over the net coming from a younger, speedier variation of themself. Maybe that is actually why Djokovic often searched for as well as gestured and whispered toward his visitor box.Still, he came out on top." Frankly, when the last shot looked at him, past him, that was the only moment I really thought I can easily gain the suit," Djokovic said.It required long exchanges full of superb ball-striking, skilled reduce tries-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be more prosperous, often therefore excellent Djokovic decreased to even offer chase-- as well as significant sprinting, moving, extending protection at both ends. They provided thus well that not either acquired recovered cost the moment: Djokovic conserved 8 rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, probably, was how precisely both men participated in, despite the ability of the hostility as well as pressure of the occasion.The just embarassment, possibly, for the supporters-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Produce indisputable, this encounter between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a significant final.Those in the positions entered into the series, repeatedly bursting out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, making an operatic fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz sought to place a revival, his promoters started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois periodically told folks to continue to be silent during the course of the action.Yet the place additionally ended up being as quiet as a theatre between points, enough to make sure that play was actually put off briefly when the air thick with apprehension was actually pierced through a young kid's crying.Both guys played to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to arrive at one decline try and down payment it over the net for a victor, he basked in the rowdy response through directing his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand victor on the run to top a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he waved both arms cost to urge people that presently were standing up as well as screaming.The very first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, full of impressive gos and impressive video games. One game lasted 18 points spread over more than a lots thrilling minutes, including 5 break odds for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic took care of to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in crunch time, as he thus typically is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body offer, yet Djokovic moved merely good enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand return winner. After 2 errors through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley victor as well as turned to encounter his family with a fist conducted high.Another collection, and also yet another tiebreaker, later, as well as Djokovic possessed that award that he wished, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold as well as brought it to his lips for an embrace.