.PARIS-- For each of his Conquest champions and various other labels, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, really wanted an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final substantial accomplishment skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at age 37, and also never mind a bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and also evenly matched males's ping pong single people last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my soul, my spirit, my physical body, my household-- my every thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Unbelievable battle. Extraordinary battle." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive profession already included a guys's- record 24 Grand Slam trophies as well as the absolute most weeks devoted atop in the rankings through any type of man or lady. It also presently had a Summer season Olympics award, coming from 2008, but it was actually a bronze-- and he created it clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because cycle at the Games. He dropped to the eventual 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 facing Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's get through this one.' That's why today, prior to the suit, I performed certainly not think as anxious as I will usually experience, given that I had gotten a medal." In Paris, wearing a grey sleeve over the appropriate leg that demanded surgical procedure for a torn lens two months earlier, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second cycle as well as removed his long time competitor in organized sets. Now Djokovic is the earliest male to win the singles gold in his sport due to the fact that 1908-- and also he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his very first occupation gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, because of one final forehand winner, Djokovic switched towards his crew in the positions-- being in front of his wife as well as their 2 kids-- fell his racket and knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever, he cried and also covered his face, after that increased and also got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the challenging moments, he offered it an added push," Alcaraz mentioned by means of his personal tears. "It hurts to lose enjoy this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, fifty minutes regardless of being decided in just pair of sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to comply with up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2013's ultimate at the All of England Club, yet Djokovic gained when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event secured at Roland Garros, the site made use of for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an appealing competition, featuring among the most ideal to ever do it in Djokovic, as well as the most ideal presently in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it can possess been annoying for Djokovic to find himself once again all over the internet from a much younger, speedier variation of himself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic frequently searched for and gesticulated as well as sputtered towards his guest box.Still, he triumphed." Frankly, when the swan song looked at him, past him, that was the only second I in fact thought I can easily gain the match," Djokovic said.It called for long swaps filled with exceptional ball-striking, deft drop tries-- Alcaraz's tended to be even more prosperous, occasionally so really good Djokovic dropped to also offer chase-- and also enormous sprinting, moving, flexing self defense at both ends. They offered so properly that neither received broken even when: Djokovic conserved 8 breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, maybe, was actually just how precisely each guys played, even with the talent of the resistance as well as tension of the occasion.The only embarassment, maybe, for the supporters-- as well as naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest events. Make no mistake, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the stands became part of the program, continuously bursting out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, developing a sonant fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to position a comeback, his proponents began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois from time to time told individuals to remain quiet during the action.Yet the spot likewise came to be as peaceful as a theater between factors, good enough to make sure that play was actually postponed temporarily when the sky close apprehension was actually punctured by a little one's crying.Both guys participated in to the group. When Alcaraz competed to reach one drop shot and also down payment it over the internet for a victor, he indulged in the raucous reaction by pointing his appropriate forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand victor on the run to top a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swayed both arms cost to encourage people that currently were standing as well as screaming.The first set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with legendary shots and epic video games. One video game lasted 18 aspects spread over much more than a dozen thrilling moments, including 5 break odds for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to contain for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he so frequently is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a physical body provide, yet Djokovic moved just enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand yield champion. After 2 blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a battery victor as well as counted on face his family with a fist hosted high.Another collection, as well as one more sudden death, later on, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he preferred, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also took it to his lips for an embrace.