.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam champions and other titles, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, definitely desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last significant achievement overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally got one at grow older 37, and also it does not matter a little the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing as well as uniformly matched males's ping pong songs ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my body, my loved ones-- my whatever-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Amazing battle. Extraordinary match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive occupation currently included a males's- report 24 Conquest prizes and the most weeks devoted atop in the ranks through any type of male or female. It additionally currently had a Summertime Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- and also he created 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 actually 0-3 in that cycle at the Video games. He lost to the possible gold victor 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 dealing with Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I was like, 'OK, let's make it through this set.' That is actually why today, prior to the fit, I did certainly not experience as concerned as I will generally experience, due to the fact that I had actually safeguarded a medal." In Paris, wearing a grey sleeve over the best leg that required surgical treatment for a torn curve 2 months earlier, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second cycle and also removed his long time opponent in straight sets. Currently Djokovic is actually the oldest man to gain the single people gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- and also he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his first career gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, thanks to one final forehand champion, Djokovic transformed towards his staff in the positions-- partaking front of his better half as well as their pair of little ones-- fell his noise and also knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he shed tears as well as covered his face, after that progressed and also nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After caress in the stands, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the difficult minutes, he gave it an added push," Alcaraz claimed through his own tears. "It injures to drop like this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty mins in spite of being actually chosen in merely 2 sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to adhere to up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2013's last at the All England Club, however Djokovic won when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the internet site used for ping pong during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually a fascinating match, featuring some of the very best to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and the greatest currently in Alcaraz. Indeed, it might have been actually annoying for Djokovic to find themself once more around the net coming from a more youthful, faster version of himself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic frequently searched for as well as gesticulated as well as murmured towards his visitor box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was the only minute I actually presumed I may succeed the match," Djokovic said.It called for long exchanges loaded with superb ball-striking, ingenious reduce shots-- Alcaraz's often tended to become even more effective, occasionally so excellent Djokovic decreased to even provide chase-- and also remarkable sprinting, moving, flexing defense at both ends. They provided so well that neither acquired recovered cost once: Djokovic spared eight break factors, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, probably, was just how cleanly both males played, in spite of the ability of the opposition and also stress of the occasion.The only embarassment, possibly, for the followers-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set style, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Create indisputable, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the positions entered into the series, consistently breaking out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, making a sonant fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz attempted to place a revival, his fans started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois sometimes helped remind people to stay quiet in the course of the action.Yet the spot likewise became as silent as a cinema between points, enough so that play was postponed temporarily when the sky thick with expectancy was actually pierced by a kid's crying.Both men played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one drop shot as well as down payment it over the internet for a winner, he basked in the raucous reaction by directing his correct forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand winner on the go to top a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he waved both upper arms expenses to encourage individuals who already were actually standing up as well as screaming.The very first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with legendary tries and also legendary activities. One activity lasted 18 aspects spread over more than a number of exciting minutes, featuring 5 break possibilities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to accommodate for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in crunch time, as he therefore frequently is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a physical body serve, yet Djokovic moved only sufficient to his left to punch a cross-court forehand gain winner. After 2 oversights by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery winner and looked to face his family members with a first held high.Another collection, and also an additional tiebreaker, eventually, as well as Djokovic had that award that he preferred, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as delivered it to his lips for a kiss.