.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest championships and various other titles, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, definitely preferred an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final significant success missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately got one at grow older 37, as well as it matters not a little how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and evenly matched men's tennis single people final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my body, my family members-- my whatever-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Amazing fight. Awesome match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive career currently featured a males's- report 24 Grand Slam prizes and also the best full weeks devoted atop in the positions by any kind of guy or even woman. It likewise actually consisted of a Summer months Olympics award, from 2008, however it was actually a bronze-- as well as he produced it very clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that cycle at the Gamings. He shed to the possible gold champion each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's get through this one.' That's why today, just before the match, I carried out not believe as worried as I will usually experience, considering that I had secured a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the appropriate knee that demanded surgical operation for a torn lens pair of months ago, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second cycle and eliminated his long time opponent in straight collections. Currently Djokovic is actually the oldest male to win the single people gold in his sporting activity given that 1908-- and also he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his very first profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, because of one last forehand champion, Djokovic switched toward his team in the stands-- partaking front of his partner as well as their two kids-- lost his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever before, he sobbed and also covered his face, after that advanced and also took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic swung the flag." In the challenging minutes, he offered it an additional press," Alcaraz said through his personal rips. "It hurts to lose like this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty minutes in spite of being actually decided in merely 2 sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to comply with up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in last year's final at the All England Nightclub, yet Djokovic won when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event kept at Roland Garros, the web site utilized for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating competition, featuring one of the best to ever before do it in Djokovic, and the most effective presently in Alcaraz. Indeed, it can have been actually irritating for Djokovic to find himself once again all over the web coming from a more youthful, faster model of themself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic regularly searched for and gestured and murmured towards his visitor box.Still, he came out on top." In all honesty, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was the only second I in fact thought I may succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges loaded with fantastic ball-striking, deft decline gos-- Alcaraz's usually tended to become even more prosperous, in some cases so really good Djokovic declined to even provide pursuit-- and incredible sprinting, gliding, stretching defense at both ends. They provided so properly that neither received recovered cost the moment: Djokovic conserved 8 rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, probably, was just how precisely both men participated in, despite the talent of the opposition as well as pressure of the occasion.The simply embarassment, perhaps, for the fans-- as well as naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set layout, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest events. Produce no mistake, this meet between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the stands entered into the program, repeatedly bursting out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, creating a sonant fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz attempted to install a resurgence, his followers began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois occasionally told individuals to stay soundless throughout the action.Yet the location likewise came to be as peaceful as a theater in between aspects, sufficient to ensure play was delayed for a while when the air close apprehension was punctured by a little one's crying.Both guys participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one drop try and also deposit it over the internet for a victor, he indulged in the raucous reaction through directing his correct forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand victor on the run to top a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swung both arms cost to urge people who actually were actually standing and also screaming.The first set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, full of epic gos and impressive activities. One video game lasted 18 factors spread over more than a dozen magical moments, featuring 5 break odds for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic took care of to hold for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in , as he thus usually is, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body serve, but Djokovic moved simply enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand yield victor. After pair of errors through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley winner as well as relied on encounter his household along with a hand held high.Another set, and also one more tiebreaker, later, and also Djokovic had that award that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also brought it to his lips for an embrace.