.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam champions as well as other labels, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, really yearned for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final notable achievement overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually acquired one at grow older 37, as well as it does not matter a little how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing as well as equally matched males's ping pong singles final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I put my heart, my soul, my body system, my family-- my every thing-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Incredible fight. Incredible battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent career already included a guys's- document 24 Grand Slam trophies and also one of the most weeks spent atop in the positions by any sort of man or girl. It likewise already consisted of a Summer Olympics medal, coming from 2008, however it was a bronze-- and he produced 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 during that round at the Gamings. He dropped to the ultimate gold champion 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 claimed, "I was like, 'OK, permit's make it through this.' That's why today, before the fit, I did certainly not feel as stressed as I will ordinarily believe, given that I had secured an award." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the appropriate leg that required surgical treatment for a torn lens 2 months ago, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the 2nd round and also eliminated his long time opponent in organized sets. Now Djokovic is actually the oldest man to gain the single people gold in his sport considering that 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 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 triumph was his, due to one final forehand victor, Djokovic transformed toward his crew in the positions-- partaking front of his better half and also their pair of children-- fell his noise and also knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he shed tears and covered his face, after that rose as well as snatched a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic swung the flag." In the tough minutes, he offered it an additional press," Alcaraz stated through his very own tears. "It hurts to lose enjoy this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, fifty mins in spite of being made a decision in just two collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to follow up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2015's final at the All England Club, but Djokovic succeeded when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the site utilized for ping pong throughout these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an appealing matchup, including one of the most effective to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and also the best presently in Alcaraz. Indeed, it could possess been irritating for Djokovic to find himself once again around the internet coming from a more youthful, speedier variation of himself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic often sought out and also gesticulated and also whispered towards his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was actually the only instant I really thought I can gain the match," Djokovic said.It required long substitutions loaded with wonderful ball-striking, ingenious decrease chances-- Alcaraz's often tended to become more effective, at times thus excellent Djokovic declined to even offer pursuit-- as well as enormous sprinting, moving, extending protection at both ends. They provided so effectively that not either obtained equalized once: Djokovic spared 8 breather points, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, possibly, was actually exactly how precisely both guys participated in, despite the talent of the hostility as well as tension of the occasion.The only pity, possibly, for the enthusiasts-- as well as naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Conquest events. Produce indisputable, this encounter 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 series, continuously bursting out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, developing a theatrical fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz attempted to install a comeback, his followers began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois occasionally told people to continue to be quiet during the action.Yet the place also ended up being as silent as a movie theater in between points, good enough so that play was put off for a while when the air thick with apprehension was actually punctured by a little one's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz competed to reach one drop shot and also down payment it over the net for a winner, he indulged in the raucous response by pointing his ideal index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand victor on the run to cover a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms cost to encourage people that currently were actually standing up and screaming.The initial set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, loaded with impressive chances and legendary activities. One video game lasted 18 points topped much more than a dozen mesmerizing minutes, including five break chances for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic handled to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he so usually is, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body system provide, yet Djokovic slid only sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand gain victor. After two errors by Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a battery champion and relied on face his household with a first held high.Another set, and an additional sudden death, later on, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he yearned for, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem finished calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also brought it to his lips for an embrace.