.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam champions and other titles, for each of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, actually yearned for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final considerable achievement missing coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally acquired one at age 37, and also never mind 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 evenly matched men's tennis single people ultimate at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my body, my family-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Fabulous battle. Incredible match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding occupation presently included a men's- document 24 Grand Slam trophies as well as the most weeks devoted atop in the positions through any kind of guy or female. It additionally already had a Summertime Olympics medal, coming from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and also he made it very clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that round at the Games. He shed to the eventual gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic said, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's get through this set.' That's why today, before the match, I performed certainly not experience as worried as I will commonly think, since I had actually secured an award." In Paris, wearing a grey sleeve over the correct knee that called for surgery for a torn crescent pair of months ago, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd round and also eliminated his long time competitor in organized collections. Currently Djokovic is actually the oldest man to gain the singles gold in his sporting activity due to the fact that 1908-- as well as he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his 1st career gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, due to one last forehand champion, Djokovic transformed towards his staff in the stands-- sitting in front of his partner and their two children-- fell his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he sobbed as well as covered his face, after that progressed and got a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the hard seconds, he gave it an additional press," Alcaraz stated by means of his own splits. "It hurts to lose enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 minutes despite being chosen in simply two sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2015's last at the All England Club, yet Djokovic gained when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing match, including some of the best to ever perform it in Djokovic, as well as the greatest at the moment in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it can have been actually discouraging for Djokovic to find himself once again around the web coming from a more youthful, speedier variation of himself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic often searched for as well as gestured and also sputtered towards his guest box.Still, he came out on top." In all honesty, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was actually the only second I actually thought I can easily gain the suit," Djokovic said.It called for long substitutions filled with outstanding ball-striking, nimble decline shots-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be more prosperous, at times therefore good Djokovic declined to even offer chase-- and also significant sprinting, moving, extending protection at both ends. They provided thus effectively that not either got broken even once: Djokovic conserved 8 break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, perhaps, was actually exactly how safely both guys played, regardless of the ability of the resistance and tension of the occasion.The only shame, perhaps, for the supporters-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Help make no mistake, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the positions became part of the show, repetitively bursting out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, making a sonant 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 flags. Seat umpire Damien Dumusois sometimes advised folks to continue to be silent in the course of the action.Yet the area additionally ended up being as quiet as a theater between factors, enough to ensure that play was delayed briefly when the sky close expectancy was actually punctured through a child's crying.Both men participated in to the group. When Alcaraz raced to arrive at one reduce chance as well as down payment it over the web for a winner, he indulged the rowdy response through aiming his ideal forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand winner on the go to top a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swung both arms overhead to motivate people that already were standing as well as screaming.The initial collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, full of legendary gos and also epic activities. One activity lasted 18 points spread over much more than a loads exciting moments, including five break opportunities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic managed to hold for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in , as he thus often is actually, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a physical body provide, but Djokovic glided just sufficient to his left to slap a cross-court forehand profit champion. After two errors by Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a volley champion and also looked to experience his loved ones along with a hand hosted high.Another set, and also one more tiebreaker, later, and also Djokovic possessed that award that he wanted, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem completed sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as delivered it to his lips for an embrace.