.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest champions and also various other labels, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, definitely wanted an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last significant accomplishment overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually obtained one at grow older 37, and also it does not matter a little bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling as well as equally matched males's tennis songs final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my heart, my soul, my physical body, my household-- my everything-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Incredible war. Extraordinary battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive job presently featured a men's- report 24 Conquest trophies and the best full weeks devoted atop in the rankings by any kind of man or even girl. It likewise already contained a Summer months Olympics award, from 2008, but it was a bronze-- and he produced it very clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that cycle at the Video games. He shed to the eventual gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I resembled, 'OK, let's make it through this.' That's why today, prior to the complement, I carried out certainly not feel as tense as I will normally experience, since I had safeguarded a medal." In Paris, wearing a grey sleeve over the ideal leg that demanded surgical treatment for a torn meniscus pair of months ago, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the 2nd round and also eliminated his longtime competitor in organized collections. Now Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to win the single people gold in his sport given that 1908-- as well as he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial career gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, thanks to one last forehand winner, Djokovic transformed towards his crew in the positions-- sitting in front of his spouse and their 2 kids-- fell his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he shed tears and also covered his face, after that advanced and snatched a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic swung the banner." In the challenging instants, he provided it an extra push," Alcaraz stated through his very own tears. "It harms to drop enjoy this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, 50 moments regardless of being determined in simply 2 sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to follow up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All of England Club, but Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the website utilized for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an enthralling matchup, featuring some of the most ideal to ever perform it in Djokovic, and also the best at the moment in Alcaraz. Indeed, it might have been disheartening for Djokovic to find themself once more around the internet from a more youthful, faster model of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic regularly found and also gestured and also sputtered toward his guest box.Still, he triumphed." Truthfully, when the last shot underwent him, past him, that was the only minute I in fact assumed I may win the suit," Djokovic said.It required long substitutions filled with terrific ball-striking, nimble drop shots-- Alcaraz's often tended to become much more prosperous, sometimes therefore great Djokovic dropped to even provide chase-- and also enormous sprinting, moving, flexing self defense at each ends. They offered so well that neither acquired broken even as soon as: Djokovic spared eight break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, possibly, was actually just how easily both males played, regardless of the skill of the opposition and tension of the occasion.The just embarassment, probably, for the fans-- as well as naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Produce indisputable, this meet between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the stands became part of the program, repetitively bursting out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, developing a theatrical fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz tried to install a resurgence, his followers started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois occasionally advised people to stay quiet during the course of the action.Yet the spot additionally ended up being as quiet as a cinema between factors, good enough so that play was actually put off quickly when the air thick with expectancy was actually punctured by a young child's crying.Both males participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one decrease shot as well as deposit it over the net for a winner, he indulged in the rowdy response by pointing his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cover a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both arms overhead to motivate folks who currently were actually standing and screaming.The initial collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, loaded with epic chances and legendary activities. One game lasted 18 aspects spread over much more than a lots exciting moments, featuring five rest odds for Alcaraz, before Djokovic managed to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in , as he thus usually is, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body offer, yet Djokovic slid merely enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand gain victor. After 2 blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a battery champion and counted on face his household with a first held high.Another set, and also one more sudden death, later, and Djokovic had that medal that he wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem completed sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as took it to his lips for a caress.