.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam champions and also various other headlines, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, actually wanted an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final notable accomplishment missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately obtained one at age 37, and never mind a bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and equally matched men's ping pong single people last at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I put my center, my spirit, my body system, my household-- my every thing-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Amazing battle. Incredible fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable occupation already featured a men's- document 24 Grand Slam prizes as well as the best full weeks spent atop in the ranks through any guy or even woman. It additionally actually contained a Summer months Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and he created it very clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that round at the Video games. He lost to the ultimate gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I felt like, 'OK, let's get through this set.' That's why today, prior to the suit, I performed not think as stressed as I would typically feel, given that I had actually protected a medal." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the appropriate leg that needed surgical procedure for a torn lens two months back, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the 2nd cycle and also removed his longtime competitor in straight collections. Now Djokovic is the oldest guy to gain the songs gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, thanks to one final forehand victor, Djokovic switched toward his team in the stands-- partaking front of his better half as well as their 2 little ones-- dropped his noise and also knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever before, he wailed as well as covered his face, then rose as well as ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the challenging instants, he provided it an extra press," Alcaraz mentioned by means of his own splits. "It injures to drop like this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, fifty moments despite being decided in just two sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to adhere to up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2015's final at the All England Nightclub, however Djokovic succeeded when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament secured at Roland Garros, the website used for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an appealing competition, featuring one of the most effective to ever do it in Djokovic, as well as the most effective presently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it could possibly have been actually disheartening for Djokovic to locate himself once again across the web from a younger, speedier model of themself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic often sought out as well as gesticulated as well as muttered towards his visitor box.Still, he came out on top." Frankly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was actually the only second I actually presumed I can easily win the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long exchanges full of exceptional ball-striking, skilled decline chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to be much more productive, at times so excellent Djokovic decreased to even offer hunt-- as well as incredible sprinting, moving, stretching self defense at both ends. They provided so well that neither received equalized the moment: Djokovic conserved 8 breather points, Alcaraz six.Most outstanding, maybe, was actually exactly how cleanly each guys played, despite the skill of the resistance and tension of the occasion.The merely shame, probably, for the fans-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Make no mistake, this encounter in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands became part of the program, continuously bursting out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, making a sonant fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to install a revival, his followers started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois periodically reminded individuals to continue to be quiet during the action.Yet the place additionally became as quiet as a cinema between points, sufficient to ensure play was postponed for a while when the air thick with anticipation was actually pierced through a kid's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to get to one reduce go and deposit it over the internet for a champion, he indulged in the rowdy response by pointing his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand champion on the go to top a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both arms cost to motivate folks that currently were actually standing and screaming.The very first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, packed with legendary tries as well as legendary games. One game lasted 18 points topped much more than a lots thrilling minutes, consisting of 5 break possibilities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic managed to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he so commonly is actually, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body system serve, however Djokovic glided simply sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit winner. After two blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a battery victor and relied on experience his family with a clenched fist held high.Another collection, as well as an additional sudden death, later on, and also Djokovic had that award that he wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem finished ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also delivered it to his lips for a caress.