.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam championships and also other titles, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, definitely wished an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last notable accomplishment overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately obtained one at age 37, as well as it does not matter a little how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and uniformly matched males's tennis songs final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I put my heart, my spirit, my body system, my family-- my every thing-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Fabulous war. Unbelievable battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive profession actually included a guys's- record 24 Conquest prizes and also one of the most full weeks devoted atop in the positions through any type of male or even girl. It likewise presently had a Summer season Olympics award, from 2008, but it was actually a bronze-- and he made it very clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that cycle at the Video games. He lost to the resulting gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I was like, 'OK, let's make it through this.' That is actually why today, prior to the suit, I performed certainly not feel as worried as I would usually experience, considering that I had secured a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the best knee that demanded surgical treatment for a torn lens 2 months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second cycle and eliminated his long time rival in organized collections. Now Djokovic is actually the oldest male to win the songs gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- and he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his very first job gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, due to one final forehand champion, Djokovic turned toward his crew in the positions-- partaking front of his better half and their 2 little ones-- fell his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he cried and covered his face, at that point advanced and also ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the challenging moments, he provided it an added push," Alcaraz pointed out by means of his personal tears. "It injures to lose similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, 50 minutes in spite of being actually made a decision in only 2 sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to comply with up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in in 2013's ultimate at the All England Club, however Djokovic gained when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition held at Roland Garros, the website used for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was a fascinating matchup, featuring some of the most effective to ever before do it in Djokovic, and the most effective presently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could have been actually frustrating for Djokovic to locate himself once more across the internet coming from a more youthful, speedier variation of themself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic regularly found as well as gestured as well as muttered toward his attendee box.Still, he prevailed." Frankly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was actually the only moment I really presumed I can easily gain the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long swaps loaded with exceptional ball-striking, skilled reduce chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to be even more productive, in some cases thus good Djokovic dropped to even give hunt-- and significant sprinting, gliding, flexing self defense at each ends. They provided therefore well that neither got broken even when: Djokovic spared 8 breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, maybe, was exactly how easily each guys participated in, even with the talent of the hostility as well as pressure of the occasion.The just pity, perhaps, for the enthusiasts-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Produce indisputable, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the positions became part of the program, continuously bursting out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, generating a sonant fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to place a resurgence, his followers started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois periodically advised individuals to stay quiet in the course of the action.Yet the location also became as peaceful as a movie theater in between aspects, sufficient so that play was actually postponed quickly when the sky close expectancy was actually pierced by a young kid's crying.Both men participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one reduce shot and down payment it over the internet for a winner, he indulged in the raucous reaction by pointing his right index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand victor on the go to top a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swayed both arms overhead to promote people that actually were standing up and also screaming.The very first set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, full of epic shots as well as legendary video games. One game lasted 18 aspects topped greater than a dozen mesmerizing mins, including five rest possibilities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to contain for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he thus commonly is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body system offer, yet Djokovic moved merely sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand profit victor. After 2 errors through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley champion and counted on face his loved ones along with a clenched fist conducted high.Another set, and also another sudden death, later, and also Djokovic had that award that he wanted, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as carried it to his lips for a kiss.