.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest championships and also other titles, for each one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, definitely desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last notable success missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally acquired one at grow older 37, as well as it does not matter a little bit how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and equally matched males's tennis singles last at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my heart, my spirit, my body, my household-- my every thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Extraordinary war. Amazing fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive occupation actually included a males's- record 24 Conquest trophies as well as one of the most full weeks invested atop in the positions by any guy or female. It additionally actually consisted of a Summer season Olympics award, from 2008, however it was a bronze-- as well as he produced it very clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that cycle at the Video games. He lost to the eventual gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I was like, 'OK, let's make it through this.' That's why today, just before the suit, I performed not think as stressed as I will typically feel, since I had actually safeguarded a medal." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the appropriate knee that required surgical operation for a torn curve 2 months ago, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd round and also removed his long time opponent in straight sets. Now Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to win the single people gold in his sport since 1908-- and he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his very first occupation gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, with the help of one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned towards his group in the stands-- partaking front of his other half and their pair of little ones-- dropped his noise as well as knelt on the clay. As mental as ever before, he shed tears and also covered his face, after that progressed as well as grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the positions, Djokovic waved the flag." In the difficult instants, he gave it an extra push," Alcaraz mentioned via his own rips. "It harms to drop similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, fifty mins regardless of being decided in only 2 collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to follow up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2014's final at the All England Club, however Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition secured at Roland Garros, the site made use of for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an enthralling match, including one of the greatest to ever perform it in Djokovic, and also the most effective at the moment in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it might have been actually annoying for Djokovic to discover themself once more all over the internet coming from a much younger, speedier variation of himself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic regularly looked up as well as gesticulated as well as murmured towards his guest box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was the only instant I really believed I may gain the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges full of outstanding ball-striking, skilled reduce chances-- Alcaraz's tended to become more successful, sometimes thus good Djokovic declined to also provide pursuit-- and also tremendous sprinting, moving, extending protection at each ends. They served so effectively that neither got broken even once: Djokovic spared 8 break factors, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, possibly, was actually how safely each men participated in, even with the ability of the resistance as well as tension of the occasion.The simply embarassment, probably, for the followers-- and naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Create indisputable, this meet between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands became part of the series, repeatedly bursting out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, developing an orchestral fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz tried to install a return, his proponents began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois sometimes advised people to stay soundless during the action.Yet the place additionally ended up being as quiet as a cinema between factors, sufficient to ensure play was actually delayed for a while when the sky thick with apprehension was actually punctured through a young kid's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one decrease chance and deposit it over the internet for a winner, he indulged in the rowdy reaction by pointing his right index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand champion on the go to top a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he waved both arms expenses to motivate folks who actually were standing and screaming.The very first set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, loaded with impressive tries and also impressive video games. One game lasted 18 points spread over more than a number of enchanting mins, consisting of five break possibilities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he thus usually is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body system provide, yet Djokovic slid only enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand gain victor. After two mistakes through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley winner and also looked to encounter his family along with a hand held high.Another set, and also yet another tiebreaker, later, and also Djokovic had that award that he wanted, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and delivered it to his lips for an embrace.