.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam champions as well as other labels, for each of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, truly preferred an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last substantial accomplishment overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly obtained one at age 37, as well as it does not matter a little how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and also equally matched males's tennis single people ultimate at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my soul, my soul, my physical body, my family members-- my whatever-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Astonishing struggle. Unbelievable battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable occupation currently included a men's- record 24 Conquest trophies and also the absolute most weeks invested atop in the positions by any kind of male or even lady. It also already had a Summertime Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- as well as he created it clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that cycle at the Games. He lost to the ultimate 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 pointed out, "I resembled, 'OK, let's survive this set.' That is actually why today, before the match, I carried out certainly not feel as tense as I will generally think, since I had actually gotten a medal." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the right leg that demanded surgical treatment for a torn meniscus 2 months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd cycle as well as removed his long time competitor in organized sets. Currently Djokovic is the earliest man to gain the single people gold in his sport given that 1908-- and also he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, because of one final forehand winner, Djokovic transformed toward his staff in the stands-- partaking front of his wife and also their 2 little ones-- dropped his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he wept and also covered his face, then advanced and also snatched a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic waved the banner." In the challenging seconds, he offered it an added press," Alcaraz pointed out with his very own rips. "It injures to shed such as this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty minutes despite being actually determined in simply 2 collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to follow up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All England Nightclub, but Djokovic gained when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event secured at Roland Garros, the website made use of for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an enthralling competition, featuring one of the very best to ever before do it in Djokovic, and the greatest right now in Alcaraz. Indeed, it could possibly possess been frustrating for Djokovic to locate himself once more throughout the net coming from a much younger, speedier version of themself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic often looked up as well as gesticulated and sputtered towards his guest box.Still, he prevailed." In all honesty, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was actually the only second I in fact believed I can win the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long substitutions full of outstanding ball-striking, ingenious decrease shots-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become more effective, at times so great Djokovic declined to even offer pursuit-- and also incredible sprinting, moving, extending protection at each ends. They provided so properly that not either got recovered cost once: Djokovic spared 8 breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, probably, was how precisely each guys participated in, even with the talent of the resistance as well as tension of the occasion.The just embarassment, maybe, for the followers-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set layout, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Make no mistake, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the stands entered into the show, consistently breaking out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, producing a sonant fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz tried to position a revival, his advocates started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois sometimes helped remind folks to remain silent throughout the action.Yet the area additionally ended up being as peaceful as a cinema in between points, enough to ensure that play was actually put off for a while when the air close apprehension was actually pierced through a little one's crying.Both men played to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to arrive at one decline chance as well as deposit it over the web for a winner, he basked in the rowdy reaction by directing his best forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand champion on the go to top a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he waved both arms overhead to encourage people who currently were actually standing as well as screaming.The initial set alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, loaded with epic gos as well as epic games. One activity lasted 18 points spread over much more than a number of enchanting moments, featuring five rest possibilities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he therefore often is, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body provide, but Djokovic moved just enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand yield champion. After pair of blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley victor and also relied on face his household along with a fist held high.Another set, and one more tiebreaker, eventually, as well as Djokovic possessed that award that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also delivered it to his lips for an embrace.