.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam championships and other titles, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, actually preferred an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final considerable success overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly received one at age 37, as well as it does not matter a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and also evenly matched males's tennis single people last at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my body, my family members-- my everything-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Extraordinary struggle. Extraordinary battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable occupation currently included a men's- file 24 Conquest trophies as well as the best full weeks spent atop in the ranks by any type of man or even female. It additionally actually contained a Summer Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and also he produced it very clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 in that round at the Video games. He shed to the eventual gold champion 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 said, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's get through this set.' That's why today, just before the match, I performed not think as stressed as I will generally think, considering that I had actually protected a medal." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the best leg that demanded surgical procedure for a torn crescent two months ago, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd cycle as well as eliminated his long time competitor in organized collections. Now Djokovic is actually the oldest man to gain the singles gold in his sport considering that 1908-- and also he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial career gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, due to one last forehand champion, Djokovic switched towards his team in the stands-- sitting in front of his other half and also their 2 youngsters-- lost his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever before, he burst into tears and covered his face, at that point advanced and got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic waved the banner." In the tough minutes, he offered it an extra press," Alcaraz mentioned via his own splits. "It injures to lose like this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, fifty mins regardless of being actually made a decision in simply 2 collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz won to comply with up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2015's last at the All England Nightclub, but Djokovic succeeded when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the website used for tennis throughout these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an enthralling matchup, featuring among the most ideal to ever before do it in Djokovic, and also the very best at the moment in Alcaraz. Indeed, it could have been frustrating for Djokovic to find himself once more around the net from a more youthful, speedier variation of himself. Maybe that's why Djokovic regularly found and gesticulated as well as sputtered towards his attendee box.Still, he came out on top." In all honesty, when the last shot looked at him, past him, that was the only instant I actually presumed I may gain the suit," Djokovic said.It called for long exchanges filled with wonderful ball-striking, quick drop tries-- Alcaraz's tended to become much more productive, often thus great Djokovic dropped to even offer chase-- as well as tremendous sprinting, gliding, stretching defense at each ends. They served thus effectively that neither received equalized when: Djokovic saved 8 breather points, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, possibly, was actually how cleanly each guys participated in, in spite of the talent of the opposition and stress of the occasion.The only pity, perhaps, for the supporters-- and also typically, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Create indisputable, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands entered into the series, repetitively breaking out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, creating an orchestral fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz tried to position a revival, his advocates began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois from time to time advised people to stay soundless during the action.Yet the place likewise ended up being as silent as a theatre between points, sufficient to ensure that play was actually postponed for a while when the sky close apprehension was actually punctured through a child's crying.Both males played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one decrease shot and also down payment it over the internet for a victor, he indulged the rowdy reaction through aiming his appropriate forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand winner on the run to top a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he waved both upper arms expenses to urge people that currently were standing up as well as screaming.The initial collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, full of legendary gos and legendary games. One video game lasted 18 aspects spread over much more than a number of magical mins, consisting of five rest odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic dealt with to hold for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in , as he thus frequently is, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a physical body offer, but Djokovic glided simply sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return victor. After two blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley champion as well as turned to encounter his family with a hand hosted high.Another collection, and one more sudden death, eventually, and also Djokovic had that award that he preferred, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem completed calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as brought it to his lips for an embrace.