.PARIS-- For each of his Conquest championships and other labels, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, actually yearned for an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final considerable achievement missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly obtained one at age 37, and also it does not matter a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and evenly matched men's ping pong single people ultimate at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my center, my spirit, my physical body, my family members-- my every little thing-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Incredible war. Incredible fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent occupation currently featured a males's- record 24 Conquest prizes and also one of the most weeks invested atop in the rankings by any type of guy or even female. It likewise already included a Summer months Olympics medal, from 2008, however it was a bronze-- and also he produced it very clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because round at the Video games. He lost to the possible 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 mentioned, "I resembled, 'OK, let's make it through this.' That's why today, just before the fit, I carried out not think as anxious as I will usually feel, because I had actually secured a medal." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the best knee that needed surgery for a torn lens two months back, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the 2nd cycle and eliminated his longtime competitor in organized sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to gain the single people gold in his sporting activity due to the fact that 1908-- as well as he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, due to one last forehand victor, Djokovic transformed towards his staff in the positions-- being in front of his wife and also their two kids-- fell his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he wept and covered his face, then progressed as well as took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic waved the banner." In the hard instants, he offered it an additional press," Alcaraz stated via his own splits. "It hurts to shed enjoy this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 mins even with being determined in simply pair of collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2015's final at the All of England Nightclub, yet Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing competition, including some of the greatest to ever do it in Djokovic, and also the very best currently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it could have been irritating for Djokovic to find themself once again all over the internet coming from a much younger, speedier variation of himself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic regularly found and also gestured as well as muttered towards his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Frankly, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was actually the only second I in fact thought I can win the suit," Djokovic said.It required long substitutions full of superb ball-striking, skilled decline chances-- Alcaraz's tended to be extra effective, sometimes so really good Djokovic decreased to even provide chase-- as well as remarkable sprinting, gliding, flexing defense at both ends. They offered thus effectively that not either acquired recovered cost as soon as: Djokovic spared eight break points, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, perhaps, was actually just how safely both guys played, regardless of the talent of the opposition and pressure of the occasion.The only shame, probably, for the supporters-- as well as normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Produce no mistake, this encounter in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the positions entered into the program, repetitively bursting out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, producing an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a return, his advocates began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair umpire Damien Dumusois from time to time reminded people to remain soundless during the action.Yet the area also ended up being as silent as a movie theater between factors, enough so that play was put off quickly when the sky close expectancy was actually pierced by a child's crying.Both guys participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to reach one decrease try as well as deposit it over the web for a winner, he indulged in the rowdy reaction by directing his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand victor on the run to cover a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms cost to encourage people that actually were standing and also screaming.The first set alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, full of legendary gos and also epic video games. One video game lasted 18 factors topped more than a number of enchanting minutes, featuring five rest opportunities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic managed to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in crunch time, as he therefore typically is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a physical body provide, however Djokovic slid simply good enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand profit champion. After two blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a volley victor and also relied on encounter his family members with a first had high.Another collection, as well as an additional tiebreaker, eventually, as well as Djokovic had that medal that he yearned for, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem finished calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also carried it to his lips for a kiss.