.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam championships and various other labels, for every one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, actually yearned for an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last notable achievement missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally obtained one at grow older 37, and also it does not matter a bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and also evenly matched men's ping pong singles final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my heart, my spirit, my body, my household-- my everything-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Incredible struggle. Astonishing fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive occupation actually featured a males's- record 24 Grand Slam prizes and the most weeks spent atop in the positions through any type of male or even girl. It also already had a Summer season Olympics award, coming from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- as well as he produced it very clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 in that round at the Gamings. He shed to the eventual gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's survive this set.' That's why today, just before the match, I carried out certainly not think as worried as I would normally feel, since I had gotten a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the best leg that demanded surgical operation for a torn meniscus pair of months back, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the 2nd cycle as well as eliminated his longtime competitor in organized collections. Right now Djokovic is the earliest man to gain the songs gold in his sport given that 1908-- as well as he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his very first profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, due to one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned toward his staff in the positions-- partaking front of his other half and their two kids-- dropped his racket and knelt on the clay. As mental as ever, he sobbed and also covered his face, then advanced and got a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic waved the banner." In the challenging seconds, he offered it an extra push," Alcaraz said via his very own splits. "It harms to drop like this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, fifty moments in spite of being actually decided in only pair of collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in last year's last at the All England Nightclub, yet Djokovic won when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event kept at Roland Garros, the website utilized for ping pong throughout these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating match, featuring among the best to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and also the best presently in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it could possess been actually disheartening for Djokovic to discover themself once more around the internet from a more youthful, faster variation of himself. Possibly that's why Djokovic frequently searched for and also gesticulated and whispered towards his guest box.Still, he triumphed." Truthfully, when the swan song went through him, past him, that was the only minute I actually believed I can easily win the match," Djokovic said.It called for long swaps full of exceptional ball-striking, quick reduce chances-- Alcaraz's tended to be a lot more productive, often thus good Djokovic declined to even give pursuit-- as well as remarkable sprinting, moving, flexing defense at each ends. They provided therefore well that neither received equalized once: Djokovic spared 8 breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, maybe, was actually just how safely both males participated in, in spite of the ability of the resistance as well as tension of the occasion.The merely embarassment, maybe, for the fans-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Create no mistake, this encounter in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands became part of the program, consistently breaking out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, generating an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz sought to install a comeback, his promoters started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois occasionally reminded individuals to remain silent throughout the action.Yet the location additionally became as quiet as a theater between points, enough so that play was actually put off for a while when the air close expectancy was actually punctured through a young kid's crying.Both males played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to get to one decline shot and deposit it over the web for a winner, he indulged the raucous reaction through pointing his right forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cover a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swung both arms expenses to promote folks that presently were actually standing and screaming.The first set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, full of impressive gos as well as epic activities. One activity lasted 18 factors spread over more than a dozen magical minutes, featuring five rest opportunities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in , as he thus typically is actually, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body offer, however Djokovic glided simply enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand return champion. After 2 errors through Alcaraz, Djokovic made a volley champion and also looked to experience his household with a fist held high.Another collection, and also yet another sudden death, later, as well as Djokovic had that medal that he wished, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and brought it to his lips for a caress.