.PARIS-- For each of his Conquest championships and also other titles, for each one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, actually yearned for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last substantial accomplishment overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly acquired one at age 37, as well as no matter a little bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling as well as equally matched males's tennis singles final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my body system, my family-- my whatever-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Awesome battle. Incredible fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable career presently featured a guys's- report 24 Conquest trophies as well as the best full weeks spent atop in the rankings through any guy or female. It likewise already consisted of a Summertime Olympics medal, from 2008, however it was a bronze-- and he made it very clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because round at the Video games. He shed to the ultimate gold winner each opportunity: 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 claimed, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's survive this set.' That's why today, before the fit, I carried out certainly not believe as stressed as I would generally feel, because I had protected an award." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the appropriate leg that required surgical treatment for a torn curve two months earlier, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second round and eliminated his longtime opponent in straight sets. Currently Djokovic is the earliest guy to gain the singles gold in his sport since 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial job gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, thanks to one final forehand winner, Djokovic turned towards his team in the stands-- sitting in front of his other half as well as their 2 youngsters-- lost his noise as well as knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever, he cried as well as covered his face, at that point rose and snatched a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the hard minutes, he offered it an added press," Alcaraz said by means of his personal tears. "It hurts to shed enjoy this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments despite being actually made a decision in only two sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2013's ultimate at the All of England Club, but 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 used for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating competition, featuring one of the most effective to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and also the best at the moment in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could possess been actually discouraging for Djokovic to find themself once more throughout the web from a more youthful, faster version of himself. Possibly that's why Djokovic often looked up and also gestured and murmured toward his guest box.Still, he prevailed." Honestly, when the swan song went through him, past him, that was actually the only instant I in fact presumed I can easily succeed the match," Djokovic said.It called for long substitutions full of excellent ball-striking, skilled reduce shots-- Alcaraz's often tended to be extra prosperous, occasionally therefore great Djokovic dropped to also provide pursuit-- as well as enormous sprinting, sliding, stretching protection at each ends. They provided so effectively that neither acquired broken even when: Djokovic spared 8 break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, maybe, was actually just how easily each guys participated in, despite the ability of the hostility and also stress of the occasion.The simply embarassment, perhaps, for the supporters-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set layout, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Create indisputable, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the stands became part of the program, repeatedly bursting out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, generating an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz attempted to place a comeback, his followers started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois periodically reminded folks to continue to be noiseless throughout the action.Yet the area additionally came to be as quiet as a movie theater between aspects, enough to ensure that play was delayed for a while when the sky thick with anticipation was actually pierced through a kid's crying.Both men participated in to the group. When Alcaraz raced to hit one decrease try as well as down payment it over the net for a winner, he basked in the raucous response through aiming his best forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand champion on the run to cover a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he waved both arms overhead to promote people that actually were actually standing as well as screaming.The first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, filled with legendary chances and also impressive activities. One activity lasted 18 factors topped more than a number of thrilling moments, featuring five break odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic handled to contain for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he so typically is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body serve, however Djokovic glided merely good enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand yield winner. After pair of blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a battery victor as well as relied on encounter his family members along with a fist conducted high.Another collection, and an additional tiebreaker, later, as well as Djokovic had that medal that he really wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem completed sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also brought it to his lips for a caress.