.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam championships and various other titles, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, definitely desired an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final significant success skipping from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly acquired one at grow older 37, and it matters not a little how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing as well as evenly matched men's tennis songs final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my physical body, my loved ones-- my every thing-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Awesome struggle. Unbelievable fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional career actually included a men's- file 24 Conquest trophies as well as the most weeks spent atop in the rankings through any type of male or girl. It likewise currently contained a Summer Olympics medal, coming from 2008, however it was a bronze-- as well as 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 in that cycle at the Games. He lost to the eventual gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's survive this one.' That's why today, just before the suit, I carried out not think as worried as I will ordinarily believe, since I had safeguarded a medal." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the ideal leg that needed surgery for a torn curve pair of months back, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second cycle as well as eliminated his long time opponent in straight collections. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to win the songs gold in his sporting activity considering that 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, due to one last forehand victor, Djokovic turned toward his group in the positions-- partaking front of his other half and also their 2 kids-- dropped his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he burst into tears as well as covered his face, after that advanced as well as got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic waved the flag." In the tough instants, he offered it an additional push," Alcaraz stated through his own tears. "It harms to drop like this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, 50 moments despite being actually made a decision in just 2 collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to adhere to up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in last year's ultimate at the All England Club, yet Djokovic succeeded when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event held at Roland Garros, the web site utilized for ping pong in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an enthralling match, featuring some of the most effective to ever before do it in Djokovic, and the greatest right now in Alcaraz. Indeed, it could possibly possess been actually annoying for Djokovic to discover himself once more throughout the web from a more youthful, speedier model of himself. Possibly that's why Djokovic regularly sought out and gesticulated as well as whispered toward his guest box.Still, he prevailed." In all honesty, when the last shot looked at him, past him, that was actually the only moment I in fact believed I may win the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long exchanges loaded with superb ball-striking, quick reduce shots-- Alcaraz's often tended to be much more prosperous, sometimes therefore good Djokovic declined to even provide hunt-- and remarkable sprinting, sliding, stretching defense at both ends. They served thus effectively that neither obtained broken even the moment: Djokovic saved eight breather points, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, probably, was just how safely both guys participated in, in spite of the skill of the resistance as well as pressure of the occasion.The just pity, probably, for the followers-- and typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Help make indisputable, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the positions entered into the series, consistently breaking out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, generating a sonant fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a resurgence, his followers started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois occasionally reminded folks to continue to be quiet throughout the action.Yet the spot additionally came to be as silent as a cinema between points, good enough to make sure that play was actually delayed for a while when the air close apprehension was actually pierced by a kid's crying.Both males participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one reduce shot as well as deposit it over the web for a victor, he indulged the rowdy reaction through aiming his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand winner on the run to cover a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he waved both arms cost to promote people that actually were actually standing up and screaming.The first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with epic tries and also impressive video games. One activity lasted 18 aspects spread over much more than a loads mesmerizing mins, including 5 rest opportunities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic handled to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he therefore commonly is actually, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body system provide, but Djokovic slid only sufficient to his left to slap a cross-court forehand yield winner. After two oversights by Alcaraz, Djokovic made a battery victor and also relied on face his loved ones along with a fist had high.Another set, and another tiebreaker, later, and Djokovic possessed that award that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also brought it to his lips for a caress.