.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest championships and other labels, for each of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, really wished an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final notable achievement missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually got one at age 37, as well as never mind a little the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and also equally matched guys's ping pong single people final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I put my heart, my soul, my body, my loved ones-- my every thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Incredible fight. Fabulous match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional job presently featured a men's- file 24 Grand Slam prizes and the most weeks invested atop in the positions by any kind of man or even woman. It likewise presently included a Summertime Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- as well as he made it very clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because cycle at the Games. He shed to the ultimate gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I was like, 'OK, allow's survive this set.' That is actually why today, just before the match, I carried out certainly not think as anxious as I will typically experience, given that I had actually gotten an award." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the correct knee that needed surgical treatment for a torn lens two months back, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second round and eliminated his longtime rival in organized collections. Right now Djokovic is the oldest man to win the singles gold in his sport due to the fact that 1908-- and he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his first profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, thanks to one last forehand winner, Djokovic switched toward his crew in the stands-- partaking front of his better half as well as their 2 little ones-- fell his noise and knelt on the clay. As psychological as ever, he cried and covered his face, at that point advanced and nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the hard minutes, he offered it an extra press," Alcaraz stated via his very own splits. "It harms to drop enjoy this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, 50 moments even with being actually determined in just 2 collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to follow up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2014's last at the All of England Club, but Djokovic gained when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the internet site used for ping pong throughout these Olympics.Sunday's competition was a fascinating match, including some of the most ideal to ever do it in Djokovic, and the very best at the moment in Alcaraz. Indeed, it could possess been actually annoying for Djokovic to find himself once more all over the net from a much younger, faster version of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic often sought out as well as gestured and also sputtered toward his visitor box.Still, he came out on top." Frankly, when the last shot experienced him, past him, that was the only moment I in fact assumed I may win the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long substitutions loaded with terrific ball-striking, quick reduce chances-- Alcaraz's often tended to become a lot more productive, often thus excellent Djokovic decreased to also give hunt-- and tremendous sprinting, sliding, extending defense at each ends. They offered thus properly that neither received recovered cost the moment: Djokovic conserved 8 break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, perhaps, was just how safely both men played, regardless of the talent of the hostility and tension of the occasion.The just shame, possibly, for the enthusiasts-- as well as typically, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Help make indisputable, this experience in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the stands became part of the series, frequently bursting out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, generating an orchestral fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz attempted to place a rebound, his advocates started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Seat peacemaker Damien Dumusois occasionally helped remind individuals to continue to be silent throughout the action.Yet the spot also became as silent as a cinema between factors, enough to make sure that play was delayed temporarily when the air close apprehension was punctured by a little one's crying.Both males participated in to the group. When Alcaraz raced to reach one decline try and also down payment it over the internet for a champion, he indulged in the raucous reaction by aiming his appropriate forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand champion on the run to cap a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he waved both arms overhead to motivate people that presently were actually standing and screaming.The first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, full of impressive shots and epic activities. One video game lasted 18 aspects spread over much more than a loads magical minutes, consisting of five break possibilities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic handled to accommodate for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in crunch time, as he so commonly is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a physical body provide, however Djokovic glided merely sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit champion. After two oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley champion as well as turned to face his loved ones along with a hand held high.Another set, and yet another sudden death, later on, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem finished calling out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and carried it to his lips for a caress.