.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam champions as well as other labels, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, definitely preferred an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last substantial success skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly got one at age 37, as well as no matter a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing as well as evenly matched men's tennis single people ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my heart, my spirit, my body system, my loved ones-- my whatever-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Amazing struggle. Astonishing battle." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent profession presently included a men's- document 24 Conquest prizes and one of the most full weeks spent atop in the rankings by any kind of man or even girl. It additionally actually included a Summer months Olympics award, from 2008, however it was a bronze-- and also he created it crystal clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that cycle at the Video games. He lost to the ultimate gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I felt like, 'OK, allow's make it through this set.' That's why today, just before the fit, I carried out certainly not think as worried as I will ordinarily believe, since I had actually safeguarded a medal." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the right leg that required surgical operation for a torn crescent two months ago, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second cycle and eliminated his longtime opponent in straight collections. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to win the single people gold in his sporting activity since 1908-- and also he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st job gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, with the help of one final forehand winner, Djokovic switched toward his staff in the stands-- partaking front of his better half and also their 2 little ones-- fell his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he burst into tears and also covered his face, after that progressed and also nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic waved the flag." In the challenging instants, he offered it an extra push," Alcaraz stated via his very own tears. "It harms to shed similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty minutes in spite of being made a decision in just pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to follow up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2015's final at the All England Nightclub, yet Djokovic succeeded when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament secured at Roland Garros, the website used for tennis throughout these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating matchup, featuring some of the best to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the very best currently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it could have been actually frustrating for Djokovic to discover themself once again all over the net coming from a much younger, faster version of himself. Possibly that's why Djokovic frequently looked up as well as gesticulated and also murmured towards his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Honestly, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was the only second I in fact thought I can gain the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges full of fantastic ball-striking, nimble reduce chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become a lot more prosperous, at times therefore really good Djokovic dropped to also give hunt-- and also enormous sprinting, moving, stretching self defense at both ends. They served therefore effectively that neither obtained broken even as soon as: Djokovic conserved eight break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most outstanding, perhaps, was just how easily both males participated in, even with the skill of the opposition and pressure of the occasion.The just pity, possibly, for the followers-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set layout, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Make indisputable, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands entered into the program, continuously breaking out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, creating a theatrical fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a resurgence, his followers began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois periodically told individuals to continue to be silent in the course of the action.Yet the place additionally became as peaceful as a cinema in between factors, sufficient in order that play was actually postponed for a while when the sky close apprehension was actually pierced by a young kid's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz competed to arrive at one decrease shot as well as down payment it over the internet for a champion, he basked in the rowdy reaction by aiming his appropriate forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cover a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swung both upper arms cost to promote people that already were standing and also screaming.The very first collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, packed with epic shots as well as impressive activities. One video game lasted 18 points spread over more than a number of mesmerizing mins, including five rest odds for Alcaraz, before Djokovic managed to hold for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he thus frequently is, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a physical body offer, but Djokovic slid only good enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand return champion. After two mistakes through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a battery victor and turned to experience his loved ones with a hand hosted high.Another collection, as well as another tiebreaker, eventually, as well as Djokovic had that medal that he really wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem finished ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also took it to his lips for a caress.