.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest champions and also various other titles, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, really yearned for an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final notable achievement overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately got one at age 37, as well as it does not matter a bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and also uniformly matched guys's ping pong singles ultimate at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my soul, my spirit, my body, my loved ones-- my every thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Awesome battle. Fabulous fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional career actually included a guys's- record 24 Conquest prizes and also the best weeks spent atop in the rankings through any type of male or even lady. It also currently consisted of a Summer season Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- as well as he produced 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 0-3 because round at the Gamings. He dropped to the possible gold champion 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 encountering Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I resembled, 'OK, let's get through this one.' That is actually why today, prior to the complement, I performed not feel as concerned as I would generally believe, since I had safeguarded a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the appropriate leg that called for surgical operation for a torn meniscus pair of months back, Djokovic faced Nadal in the 2nd round and also eliminated his longtime rival in organized sets. Currently Djokovic is actually the earliest male to win the songs gold in his sport because 1908-- and he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his very first career gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, due to one final forehand victor, Djokovic turned toward his staff in the stands-- being in front of his better half and their two children-- lost his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he wept and covered his face, after that advanced as well as nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic waved the banner." In the tough moments, he provided it an extra press," Alcaraz said by means of his personal rips. "It harms to drop such as this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, fifty mins despite being actually made a decision in only pair of collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2014's last at the All of England Club, however Djokovic gained when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament secured at Roland Garros, the site utilized for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an enthralling competition, including among the best to ever perform it in Djokovic, and also the best presently in Alcaraz. Indeed, it might possess been actually frustrating for Djokovic to locate themself once more across the web coming from a much younger, speedier model of himself. Maybe that's why Djokovic frequently sought out and gesticulated and also sputtered toward his attendee box.Still, he came out on top." In all honesty, when the last shot underwent him, past him, that was actually the only minute I in fact assumed I can win the suit," Djokovic said.It required long exchanges filled with superb ball-striking, deft decline chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become extra productive, often thus excellent Djokovic declined to even offer hunt-- as well as enormous sprinting, sliding, flexing protection at each ends. They offered therefore properly that not either got equalized the moment: Djokovic conserved eight break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, maybe, was just how cleanly both men played, even with the talent of the opposition and also tension of the occasion.The simply embarassment, maybe, for the enthusiasts-- as well as naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Produce no mistake, this encounter in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a primary final.Those in the stands became part of the show, continuously breaking out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, producing an orchestral fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz tried to position a revival, his proponents started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois from time to time told folks to remain soundless during the course of the action.Yet the location also became as silent as a movie theater between points, enough so that play was actually put off quickly when the sky thick with apprehension was punctured through a kid's crying.Both men participated in to the group. When Alcaraz raced to arrive at one decline shot as well as deposit it over the internet for a winner, he basked in the rowdy response by aiming his right forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand victor on the go to top a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swayed both arms overhead to encourage individuals who actually were standing and screaming.The 1st set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, full of impressive chances and also epic video games. One game lasted 18 points topped more than a dozen exciting minutes, consisting of five rest possibilities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic dealt with to hold for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he so commonly is, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body serve, but Djokovic glided merely sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit winner. After 2 errors by Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a battery victor and counted on experience his family members with a clenched fist hosted high.Another set, and an additional sudden death, later, and Djokovic had that medal that he yearned for, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and carried it to his lips for an embrace.