.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest champions and also various other headlines, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, truly wanted an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final substantial achievement missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately acquired one at grow older 37, and also no matter a little bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating as well as evenly matched men's tennis singles final at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my soul, my soul, my body, my family-- my everything-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Fabulous fight. Awesome match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional career presently included a men's- record 24 Conquest prizes as well as the most full weeks spent atop in the rankings by any sort of male or even female. It additionally actually included a Summer months Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- and he created it very clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that cycle at the Video games. He shed to the resulting gold victor each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's make it through this set.' That is actually why today, prior to the complement, I carried out certainly not experience as tense as I would generally experience, considering that I had actually safeguarded an award." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the appropriate knee that demanded surgical operation for a torn lens two months back, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second cycle as well as removed his longtime opponent in straight sets. Right now Djokovic is the earliest man to gain the singles gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- as well as he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial job gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, thanks to one last forehand victor, Djokovic transformed toward his crew in the positions-- partaking front of his other half as well as their two children-- fell his racket and also knelt on the clay. As psychological as ever, he wept and covered his face, then advanced and ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the hard instants, he offered it an extra press," Alcaraz said by means of his personal tears. "It injures to drop similar to this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 moments in spite of being made a decision in only two sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to follow up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2014's ultimate at the All England Nightclub, yet Djokovic won when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition secured at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for tennis throughout these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually a fascinating matchup, featuring some of the greatest to ever do it in Djokovic, as well as the greatest at the moment in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it might have been actually irritating for Djokovic to discover themself once more around the internet coming from a more youthful, speedier version of himself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic regularly looked up as well as gestured as well as sputtered toward his guest box.Still, he triumphed." Frankly, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was the only minute I really assumed I can gain the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long swaps filled with terrific ball-striking, nimble decrease chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become extra effective, often therefore really good Djokovic dropped to even give chase-- and significant sprinting, sliding, flexing defense at each ends. They provided thus well that neither received equalized when: Djokovic spared 8 rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, maybe, was just how safely both men played, in spite of the ability of the hostility and pressure of the occasion.The merely embarassment, perhaps, for the followers-- as well as normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, instead of the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Help make indisputable, this encounter in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the stands entered into the program, consistently bursting out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, developing a sonant fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz tried to place a comeback, his proponents began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair umpire Damien Dumusois occasionally helped remind folks to continue to be silent in the course of the action.Yet the location also ended up being as silent as a movie theater between points, sufficient so that play was actually delayed temporarily when the sky thick with apprehension was punctured through a little one's crying.Both guys played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one reduce try and also down payment it over the web for a victor, he indulged the rowdy reaction through aiming his best forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand victor on the run to top a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swung both upper arms expenses to motivate folks who actually were standing up as well as screaming.The very first set alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, loaded with legendary gos and epic activities. One activity lasted 18 points topped much more than a number of enchanting mins, featuring 5 break opportunities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic took care of to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he therefore often is actually, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a physical body offer, yet Djokovic glided only good enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return champion. After pair of oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a volley winner as well as looked to encounter his family with a clenched fist had high.Another set, and another tiebreaker, later on, and Djokovic had that award that he yearned for, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as delivered it to his lips for an embrace.