.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest championships and other headlines, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic definitely, definitely preferred an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last considerable success skipping from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at grow older 37, and never mind a little how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing as well as evenly matched men's tennis singles final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my heart, my spirit, my physical body, my family-- my every thing-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Astonishing war. Amazing match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive career currently featured a men's- file 24 Grand Slam prizes and one of the most full weeks devoted atop in the rankings by any male or even female. It also actually consisted of a Summer season Olympics award, coming from 2008, but it was a bronze-- as well as he made it very 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 in that cycle at the Gamings. He shed to the possible gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I resembled, 'OK, let's survive this one.' That's why today, just before the complement, I did not feel as anxious as I would ordinarily believe, because I had actually secured an award." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the correct knee that demanded surgery for a torn crescent two months earlier, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the 2nd cycle as well as eliminated his long time rival in straight sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest male to win the songs gold in his sport given that 1908-- and he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, thanks to one final forehand victor, Djokovic transformed towards his crew in the stands-- partaking front of his spouse as well as their 2 youngsters-- lost his noise and also knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever, he wailed and also covered his face, at that point increased as well as took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swung the banner." In the tough minutes, he gave it an added press," Alcaraz stated via his very own rips. "It harms to lose like this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 mins even with being actually made a decision in only 2 collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to follow up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in last year's final at the All England Club, however Djokovic won when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event secured at Roland Garros, the site utilized for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an enthralling competition, including some of the most ideal to ever perform it in Djokovic, and also the best presently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it can possess been annoying for Djokovic to find himself once more all over the internet coming from a much younger, faster version of himself. Maybe that is actually why Djokovic regularly looked up and gestured and whispered towards his attendee box.Still, he prevailed." In all honesty, when the last shot experienced him, past him, that was actually the only moment I actually presumed I can easily succeed the match," Djokovic said.It needed long exchanges filled with terrific ball-striking, ingenious drop tries-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become much more successful, often so great Djokovic decreased to also provide hunt-- and incredible sprinting, gliding, extending defense at both ends. They provided therefore properly that not either obtained equalized as soon as: Djokovic spared 8 rest points, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, possibly, was actually exactly how cleanly both males participated in, in spite of the skill of the hostility and also tension of the occasion.The merely shame, maybe, for the fans-- and naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set style, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Make indisputable, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a significant final.Those in the positions entered into the show, repeatedly breaking out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, developing a sonant fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz attempted to position a rebound, his proponents began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Seat umpire Damien Dumusois occasionally helped remind individuals to continue to be quiet in the course of the action.Yet the place likewise became as peaceful as a cinema in between factors, good enough to ensure that play was delayed for a while when the sky close apprehension was punctured by a young child's crying.Both guys participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one decline shot and down payment it over the internet for a victor, he indulged in the raucous reaction through pointing his appropriate forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cover a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swayed both upper arms expenses to encourage folks that presently were standing as well as screaming.The 1st collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, loaded with epic shots as well as impressive games. One game lasted 18 factors spread over much more than a loads thrilling minutes, consisting of five rest possibilities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic handled to carry for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in , as he so commonly is actually, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a physical body serve, yet Djokovic slid simply good enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand gain victor. After two errors by Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley winner and turned to face his family members with a first held high.Another collection, as well as another sudden death, eventually, and Djokovic possessed that award that he wanted, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem finished sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also took it to his lips for an embrace.