.PARIS-- For each of his Grand Slam championships and also other labels, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, definitely yearned for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final significant accomplishment missing out on from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally got one at grow older 37, and it matters not a bit how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and equally matched males's ping pong songs ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my physical body, my family-- my every thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Astonishing war. Extraordinary fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional occupation presently included a males's- report 24 Grand Slam trophies and also the most full weeks invested atop in the rankings through any kind of man or even lady. It additionally presently had a Summer Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and he made it very clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that cycle at the Gamings. He dropped 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 3 years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's survive this.' That's why today, just before the fit, I did not experience as stressed as I will generally experience, because I had protected a medal." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the appropriate knee that called for surgical treatment for a torn curve pair of months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd round as well as removed his longtime rival in straight collections. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to gain the singles gold in his sport since 1908-- and he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his very first career gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, with the help of one last forehand victor, Djokovic switched toward his crew in the stands-- being in front of his wife and their two kids-- fell his noise as well as knelt on the clay. As mental as ever, he shed tears and covered his face, then progressed and also grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic waved the flag." In the tough seconds, he provided it an added press," Alcaraz mentioned via his personal splits. "It injures to shed enjoy this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, 50 mins despite being chosen in merely two sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to comply with up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2015's last at the All of England Club, but Djokovic gained when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the site used for ping pong in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was a fascinating match, including some of the best to ever perform it in Djokovic, and also the most ideal at the moment in Alcaraz. Certainly, it might possess been actually frustrating for Djokovic to find themself once more all over the net coming from a much younger, faster model of themself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic frequently found as well as gesticulated and murmured toward his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the last shot experienced him, past him, that was actually the only moment I really believed I may succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It required long exchanges filled with fantastic ball-striking, deft reduce chances-- Alcaraz's usually tended to become much more effective, at times thus good Djokovic declined to also provide pursuit-- and also enormous sprinting, moving, stretching protection at both ends. They provided so properly that not either received broken even once: Djokovic spared 8 rest factors, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, maybe, was actually how safely each guys played, in spite of the skill of the opposition as well as pressure of the occasion.The simply shame, probably, for the followers-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Produce no mistake, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the positions entered into the show, frequently breaking out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, developing a sonant fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to place a comeback, his advocates began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois periodically reminded folks to continue to be noiseless in the course of the action.Yet the location also came to be as silent as a movie theater between points, enough so that play was actually delayed quickly when the air close expectancy was actually punctured by a little one's crying.Both males played to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one decline go and also deposit it over the web for a victor, he indulged the raucous response through aiming his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand victor on the run to cover a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swung both arms overhead to encourage folks who currently were actually standing up and also screaming.The very first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, packed with impressive gos as well as impressive activities. One video game lasted 18 factors spread over much more than a number of magical minutes, featuring 5 rest odds for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic handled to contain for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he thus often is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body provide, yet Djokovic glided simply sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand yield champion. After 2 oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley winner and also counted on face his family members along with a clenched fist held high.Another set, and also one more tiebreaker, later, and Djokovic possessed that award that he desired, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem finished sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and carried it to his lips for a caress.