.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest championships and other headlines, for every one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, really wished an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final notable achievement skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately received one at age 37, and also it matters not a bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and also equally matched guys's tennis songs ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my body, my loved ones-- my whatever-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Extraordinary battle. Fabulous match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional profession actually featured a men's- file 24 Conquest prizes and also one of the most weeks devoted atop in the rankings by any type of guy or lady. It also currently contained a Summertime Olympics medal, from 2008, however it was a bronze-- and he created it crystal clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that round at the Video games. He dropped to the resulting gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's make it through this one.' That is actually why today, prior to the complement, I did not feel as concerned as I would commonly believe, due to the fact that I had actually gotten an award." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the correct knee that required surgical procedure for a torn lens two months ago, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second round and removed his longtime competitor in straight sets. Right now Djokovic is the earliest man to win the singles gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- as well as he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, because of one last forehand victor, Djokovic turned towards his staff in the positions-- partaking front of his partner and their 2 children-- fell his noise as well as knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever, he wept as well as covered his face, at that point advanced and got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic swung the flag." In the difficult moments, he provided it an additional push," Alcaraz pointed out with his own tears. "It harms to lose similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, 50 mins even with being actually chosen in simply two sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to follow up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in last year's final at the All England Club, but Djokovic gained when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court event secured at Roland Garros, the web site used for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually a fascinating matchup, including one of the most ideal to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the greatest presently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it might have been disheartening for Djokovic to find themself once more around the internet from a much younger, faster model of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic often found and also gestured and muttered towards his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only minute I actually thought I can win the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges loaded with fantastic ball-striking, ingenious decline gos-- Alcaraz's often tended to be much more successful, often so great Djokovic dropped to also provide pursuit-- as well as significant sprinting, sliding, stretching defense at each ends. They offered therefore well that neither acquired recovered cost when: Djokovic conserved eight breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most outstanding, maybe, was how cleanly each men played, despite the skill of the resistance as well as tension of the occasion.The only pity, maybe, for the fans-- as well as naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Make 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 stands became part of the program, repetitively bursting out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, developing a sonant fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz sought to position a rebound, his proponents began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois from time to time reminded people to stay silent during the action.Yet the location also came to be as quiet as a theater between points, sufficient to make sure that play was actually put off quickly when the sky thick with apprehension was actually pierced through a young child's crying.Both guys participated in to the group. When Alcaraz competed to reach one decline shot as well as down payment it over the internet for a champion, he indulged in the raucous reaction by aiming his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand winner on the run to cap a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swung both arms expenses to motivate individuals that currently were actually standing and screaming.The very first set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, filled with legendary tries as well as impressive video games. One activity lasted 18 points topped greater than a dozen enchanting minutes, featuring 5 break possibilities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic dealt with to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in , as he therefore frequently is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body system serve, however Djokovic glided merely sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand return victor. After pair of mistakes by Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a battery winner and looked to encounter his household along with a hand hosted high.Another set, and an additional tiebreaker, eventually, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he wished, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and took it to his lips for a kiss.