.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest championships and also other headlines, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, truly yearned for an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last significant success overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually obtained one at grow older 37, and also it does not matter a little bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling as well as equally matched males's ping pong single people last at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my center, my spirit, my body, my family-- my every thing-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Unbelievable war. Amazing battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent occupation actually featured a men's- record 24 Grand Slam trophies and the most weeks spent atop in the positions by any kind of male or even lady. It likewise currently consisted of a Summertime Olympics medal, from 2008, however it was a bronze-- and he produced it very clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that cycle at the Games. He lost to the possible gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's make it through this one.' That is actually why today, just before the fit, I carried out certainly not experience as nervous as I would generally believe, given that I had safeguarded an award." In Paris, wearing a grey sleeve over the best knee that needed surgical procedure for a torn lens two months back, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second round and also removed his longtime opponent in organized collections. Right now Djokovic is the oldest guy to win the songs gold in his sport given that 1908-- as well as he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his 1st profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, thanks to one last forehand victor, Djokovic switched toward his group in the stands-- sitting in front of his partner as well as their pair of youngsters-- fell his racket and knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he burst into tears and covered his face, at that point increased and also took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic swung the flag." In the challenging moments, he provided it an extra press," Alcaraz pointed out via his own tears. "It hurts to lose such as this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty mins in spite of being actually chosen in merely pair of collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to follow up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2015's last at the All of England Club, but Djokovic succeeded when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court competition held at Roland Garros, the web site used for ping pong during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually a fascinating match, featuring one of the greatest to ever do it in Djokovic, and the most ideal currently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it could possibly possess been annoying for Djokovic to locate himself once more around the internet coming from a more youthful, speedier variation of himself. Possibly that's why Djokovic often sought out as well as gestured and also murmured toward his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Frankly, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was actually the only instant I actually thought I can easily gain the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges loaded with wonderful ball-striking, skilled decline chances-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become extra prosperous, in some cases thus excellent Djokovic decreased to also give chase-- as well as significant sprinting, gliding, flexing defense at each ends. They provided therefore well that neither obtained recovered cost once: Djokovic spared 8 breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, possibly, was actually how precisely both males played, regardless of the talent of the opposition and pressure of the occasion.The only embarassment, maybe, for the enthusiasts-- as well as normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set layout, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Create indisputable, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the positions entered into the program, repeatedly breaking out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, producing an operatic fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz sought to place a revival, his supporters started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois sometimes told people to continue to be quiet during the course of the action.Yet the place additionally became as quiet as a theater between factors, sufficient to ensure play was actually postponed briefly when the air thick with expectancy was pierced by a kid's crying.Both guys participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz raced to arrive at one decline shot and also down payment it over the internet for a champion, he indulged the rowdy response through aiming his correct forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the run to cap a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swung both arms overhead to motivate individuals that already were standing as well as screaming.The first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, filled with legendary chances as well as impressive games. One activity lasted 18 factors spread over more than a number of enchanting mins, featuring five break possibilities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic handled to contain for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he thus commonly is, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body provide, yet Djokovic glided simply good enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand return victor. After two blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a battery winner and looked to face his family members along with a first had high.Another set, as well as one more tiebreaker, later on, and also Djokovic possessed that medal that he yearned for, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as brought it to his lips for a kiss.