.PARIS-- For each of his Grand Slam champions and also other titles, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, definitely wanted an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final notable achievement overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately acquired one at grow older 37, and also never mind a little bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling as well as evenly matched guys's tennis songs final at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my soul, my spirit, my physical body, my loved ones-- my every little thing-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Extraordinary war. Incredible battle." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional occupation currently featured a men's- report 24 Grand Slam trophies as well as the absolute most full weeks invested atop in the positions by any kind of male or even girl. It also actually had a Summer season Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and he made it crystal clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that round at the Video games. He dropped to the eventual gold champion each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's get through this one.' That is actually why today, prior to the fit, I performed not feel as worried as I will usually feel, because I had actually gotten an award." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the correct leg that demanded surgical operation for a torn lens 2 months back, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second round and also removed his longtime rival in straight sets. Currently Djokovic is the oldest man to gain the songs gold in his sport given that 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his first career gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, because of one final forehand victor, Djokovic switched toward his group in the positions-- sitting in front of his spouse and also their 2 little ones-- fell his racket and knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he cried and also covered his face, then progressed and ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic waved the banner." In the hard moments, he offered it an added push," Alcaraz stated via his very own splits. "It harms to lose such as this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 moments even with being actually decided in just 2 collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to adhere to up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2013's ultimate at the All of England Club, yet Djokovic succeeded when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the website used for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an appealing match, including one of the greatest to ever perform it in Djokovic, and also the most effective right now in Alcaraz. Definitely, it could possibly have been discouraging for Djokovic to find himself once again all over the net from a younger, speedier model of himself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic regularly found and gestured as well as sputtered toward his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." In all honesty, when the last shot looked at him, past him, that was the only instant I in fact assumed I may gain the match," Djokovic said.It needed long swaps filled with terrific ball-striking, skilled reduce tries-- Alcaraz's tended to be much more prosperous, occasionally thus good Djokovic decreased to also offer chase-- as well as tremendous sprinting, gliding, stretching self defense at each ends. They served therefore properly that not either got broken even when: Djokovic saved eight rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, perhaps, was actually how precisely each guys played, even with the skill of the hostility and stress of the occasion.The just embarassment, maybe, for the followers-- and naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, instead of the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Produce indisputable, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the positions became part of the show, consistently breaking out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, producing a sonant fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a revival, his proponents began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow flags. Chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois periodically told individuals to stay quiet in the course of the action.Yet the place additionally came to be as quiet as a movie theater in between points, enough to ensure that play was delayed for a while when the air close expectancy was pierced through a child's crying.Both males participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to arrive at one decline shot and also deposit it over the internet for a winner, he indulged in the rowdy response through aiming his appropriate forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand champion on the go to top a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swung both upper arms cost to motivate individuals who presently were actually standing as well as screaming.The initial collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, full of impressive gos and legendary activities. One video game lasted 18 aspects topped much more than a lots exciting moments, consisting of five rest odds for Alcaraz, before Djokovic managed to contain for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he therefore often is, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a physical body provide, but Djokovic glided simply enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand yield champion. After pair of blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery champion and also counted on experience his household along with a fist conducted high.Another set, and also an additional sudden death, eventually, as well as Djokovic possessed that award that he really wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem completed sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also brought it to his lips for an embrace.