.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam champions and other titles, for each of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, actually desired an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last substantial accomplishment missing coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally acquired one at age 37, and it does not matter a little bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing as well as uniformly matched males's ping pong songs ultimate at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my physical body, my family-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Fabulous struggle. Amazing match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional job actually featured a guys's- record 24 Grand Slam prizes and the most weeks devoted atop in the positions by any type of male or lady. It likewise actually contained a Summer months Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and also he made it crystal clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that round at the Video games. He shed to the possible gold champion each opportunity: 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 pointed out, "I was like, 'OK, let's make it through this one.' That is actually why today, before the fit, I carried out not believe as concerned as I would normally think, considering that I had actually safeguarded a medal." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the right knee that demanded surgical operation for a torn crescent 2 months back, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the 2nd round and removed his long time competitor in organized sets. Currently Djokovic is actually the oldest male to gain the songs gold in his sport because 1908-- and he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his very first profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, with the help of one final forehand champion, Djokovic turned towards his crew in the stands-- partaking front of his spouse and their 2 children-- dropped his noise and also knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever before, he shed tears and covered his face, after that rose and got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the tough minutes, he offered it an added press," Alcaraz pointed out with his personal rips. "It hurts to lose such as this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, fifty mins despite being chosen in merely two collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to comply with up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2014's last at the All England Club, however Djokovic won when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event held at Roland Garros, the internet site utilized for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an enthralling matchup, featuring some of the greatest to ever perform it in Djokovic, and the very best currently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it could possibly have been irritating for Djokovic to locate themself once again throughout the internet coming from a more youthful, faster version of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic frequently searched for and also gestured as well as whispered towards his guest box.Still, he prevailed." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only minute I in fact presumed I may succeed the match," Djokovic said.It called for long substitutions filled with exceptional ball-striking, nimble drop chances-- Alcaraz's tended to be much more successful, occasionally so really good Djokovic dropped to even provide chase-- and remarkable sprinting, sliding, flexing protection at both ends. They offered therefore well that not either received equalized when: Djokovic conserved eight break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, maybe, was actually how precisely each males played, even with the skill of the opposition as well as stress of the occasion.The just pity, perhaps, for the supporters-- as well as naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set layout, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Produce no mistake, this encounter between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the positions entered into the show, continuously bursting out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, creating an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz attempted to place a return, his proponents began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois periodically told folks to continue to be silent in the course of the action.Yet the spot additionally came to be as silent as a movie theater in between factors, good enough so that play was actually delayed for a while when the air thick with anticipation was actually pierced by a young kid's crying.Both males participated in to the group. When Alcaraz raced to get to one drop shot and also deposit it over the internet for a victor, he basked in the raucous response by aiming his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cap a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swung both upper arms cost to promote people that presently were actually standing up and screaming.The initial set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, filled with impressive chances and epic activities. One game lasted 18 factors spread over much more than a number of exciting minutes, including 5 rest chances for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to hold for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in , as he therefore typically is actually, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body offer, however Djokovic glided simply enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand yield winner. After pair of errors by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery victor as well as relied on encounter his family members along with a hand had high.Another collection, and one more tiebreaker, eventually, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he yearned for, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem completed ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also delivered it to his lips for a kiss.