.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest championships and also various other titles, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, actually wished an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last substantial success missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly received one at grow older 37, as well as it does not matter a bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling as well as equally matched guys's tennis singles ultimate at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my heart, my soul, my body, my household-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Incredible battle. Unbelievable match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional profession presently included a men's- report 24 Grand Slam prizes and also the best full weeks invested atop in the positions by any sort of man or even girl. It likewise already consisted of a Summer season Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was a bronze-- as well as he created it crystal clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 because round at the Games. He lost to the resulting gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I felt like, 'OK, let's survive this one.' That's why today, before the complement, I performed certainly not feel as tense as I would usually think, considering that I had gotten a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the right knee that needed surgical treatment for a torn curve two months earlier, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second cycle and removed his long time rival in straight collections. Currently Djokovic is the earliest guy to win the singles gold in his sport since 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his very first profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, because of one final forehand victor, Djokovic transformed toward his crew in the positions-- partaking front of his other half and also their pair of youngsters-- lost his racket as well as knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever, he wailed and covered his face, then rose and ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic swung the flag." In the hard seconds, he provided it an additional push," Alcaraz said via his very own tears. "It injures to lose enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, fifty mins even with being chosen in just 2 sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to follow up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in last year's final at the All England Nightclub, yet Djokovic won when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the web site made use of for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating competition, featuring one of the greatest to ever before perform it in Djokovic, as well as the greatest presently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could have been annoying for Djokovic to locate themself once more all over the internet coming from a much younger, faster version of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic regularly searched for as well as gestured and whispered toward his attendee box.Still, he prevailed." In all honesty, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was actually the only moment I really assumed I can easily win the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long swaps full of wonderful ball-striking, skilled drop shots-- Alcaraz's usually tended to become much more prosperous, at times therefore really good Djokovic decreased to even offer chase-- and also tremendous sprinting, moving, flexing self defense at both ends. They provided thus effectively that not either got equalized once: Djokovic spared 8 rest points, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, perhaps, was how precisely each men played, despite the ability of the resistance and also pressure of the occasion.The only pity, possibly, for the fans-- as well as typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest events. Create no mistake, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the stands became part of the series, frequently breaking out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, developing an orchestral fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz tried to mount a return, his fans began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Seat peacemaker Damien Dumusois occasionally advised individuals to remain quiet throughout the action.Yet the spot additionally came to be as quiet as a movie theater between aspects, enough so that play was put off for a while when the air close apprehension was punctured by a young child's crying.Both guys participated in to the group. When Alcaraz raced to reach one decrease shot as well as deposit it over the web for a champion, he indulged in the raucous reaction through pointing his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand victor on the run to cap a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he waved both arms overhead to promote people who currently were standing up as well as screaming.The first set alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, filled with impressive tries as well as epic video games. One game lasted 18 points topped greater than a dozen mesmerizing moments, including five break chances for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic took care of to contain for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he so usually is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body provide, yet Djokovic moved merely sufficient to his left to slap a cross-court forehand gain champion. After pair of blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley champion and relied on face his loved ones with a fist hosted high.Another set, and another tiebreaker, eventually, and also Djokovic had that award that he really wanted, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and brought it to his lips for an embrace.