.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam champions and also various other labels, for each of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, definitely wanted an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last substantial success overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at age 37, and never mind a bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating as well as uniformly matched men's tennis singles final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my soul, my soul, my physical body, my family-- my every thing-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Fabulous fight. Fabulous fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional job currently featured a guys's- record 24 Conquest prizes as well as the best weeks spent atop in the ranks through any sort of man or female. It likewise currently included a Summer months Olympics medal, coming from 2008, however it was a bronze-- as well as he made it crystal clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because round at the Video games. He dropped to the ultimate gold victor each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's get through this.' That's why today, prior to the fit, I performed not believe as stressed as I would usually believe, since I had actually gotten an award." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the correct knee that required surgical treatment for a torn meniscus two months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd round and removed his long time competitor in straight sets. Currently Djokovic is the earliest guy to win the singles gold in his sport because 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, with the help of one final forehand champion, Djokovic transformed toward his staff in the stands-- being in front of his wife and also their two youngsters-- fell his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he wailed as well as covered his face, after that advanced and also got a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic waved the banner." In the tough seconds, he offered it an extra press," Alcaraz claimed by means of his personal rips. "It harms to shed such as this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty minutes even with being chosen in only pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in last year's final at the All England Club, but Djokovic succeeded when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event kept at Roland Garros, the web site made use of for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an enthralling competition, featuring one of the most ideal to ever perform it in Djokovic, as well as the most ideal currently in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it could have been discouraging for Djokovic to locate themself once more across the web from a more youthful, speedier version of himself. Maybe that's why Djokovic often found and gestured as well as murmured toward his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Truthfully, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was the only moment I actually thought I can easily succeed the match," Djokovic said.It required long swaps full of wonderful ball-striking, quick reduce chances-- Alcaraz's usually tended to become a lot more prosperous, occasionally thus great Djokovic dropped to even provide chase-- and significant sprinting, sliding, flexing protection at both ends. They served thus well that not either acquired equalized once: Djokovic spared eight breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, probably, was actually how safely each guys participated in, even with the ability of the resistance as well as tension of the occasion.The only pity, maybe, for the supporters-- and typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Create indisputable, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the positions became part of the show, repeatedly breaking out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, making an orchestral fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a comeback, his promoters started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat peacemaker Damien Dumusois from time to time advised folks to remain silent throughout the action.Yet the spot likewise ended up being as silent as a movie theater in between aspects, enough to ensure play was actually put off temporarily when the air close anticipation was actually pierced by a little one's crying.Both men participated in to the group. When Alcaraz competed to get to one decline shot and also deposit it over the net for a victor, he basked in the rowdy reaction through directing his ideal forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cap a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he waved both upper arms overhead to encourage folks that actually were actually standing up as well as screaming.The very first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with impressive gos and impressive activities. One game lasted 18 aspects spread over more than a dozen enchanting moments, featuring 5 rest odds for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to contain for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he thus often is, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body offer, but Djokovic glided just enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit winner. After 2 blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery victor as well as relied on encounter his family members along with a hand hosted high.Another collection, and also an additional tiebreaker, eventually, and Djokovic had that award that he wished, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also carried it to his lips for a kiss.