.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam champions and other labels, for each of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, definitely yearned for an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last significant success overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly got one at grow older 37, and no matter a bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and also evenly matched guys's ping pong songs ultimate at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I put my soul, my spirit, my physical body, my family-- my whatever-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Astonishing war. Incredible battle." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive profession currently featured a males's- document 24 Conquest trophies as well as one of the most full weeks devoted atop in the rankings by any type of man or even lady. It additionally already had a Summertime Olympics medal, coming from 2008, however it was a bronze-- and also he produced it clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 in that cycle at the Games. He shed to the ultimate gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I was like, 'OK, permit's get through this one.' That's why today, before the match, I did certainly not experience as tense as I would typically think, since I had actually safeguarded an award." In Paris, wearing a grey sleeve over the correct knee that called for surgical procedure for a torn lens two months back, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second round and also eliminated his long time competitor in organized collections. Now Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to gain the songs gold in his sport considering that 1908-- as well as he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial occupation gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, thanks to one final forehand winner, Djokovic transformed towards his group in the stands-- being in front of his partner as well as their two kids-- fell his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever, he burst into tears and also covered his face, at that point rose and got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic waved the banner." In the difficult seconds, he provided it an extra push," Alcaraz claimed through his very own rips. "It injures to shed similar to this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments regardless of being made a decision in only 2 collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to observe up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2015's ultimate at the All of England Nightclub, however Djokovic succeeded when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the site used for ping pong in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an appealing matchup, including among the greatest to ever perform it in Djokovic, and also the most ideal presently in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it can have been actually frustrating for Djokovic to locate himself once more around the internet coming from a more youthful, faster model of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic often looked up and also gesticulated as well as sputtered towards his guest box.Still, he triumphed." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only instant I really thought I can succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long exchanges loaded with superb ball-striking, skilled reduce tries-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become much more prosperous, at times thus really good Djokovic decreased to even give hunt-- and tremendous sprinting, moving, stretching protection at both ends. They offered so effectively that neither got broken even once: Djokovic saved 8 breather points, Alcaraz six.Most outstanding, perhaps, was actually just how cleanly each men participated in, regardless of the talent of the opposition and also stress of the occasion.The only pity, probably, for the followers-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Make indisputable, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the positions became part of the program, continuously breaking out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, creating an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd set, as Alcaraz attempted to position a revival, his fans started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair umpire Damien Dumusois periodically reminded folks to continue to be soundless during the action.Yet the spot additionally ended up being as silent as a cinema in between points, good enough to make sure that play was actually put off quickly when the sky close apprehension was pierced by a young child's crying.Both guys played to the crowd. When Alcaraz raced to hit one drop shot as well as deposit it over the web for a victor, he indulged the rowdy reaction through pointing his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand winner on the go to top a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he waved both arms expenses to promote folks who actually were actually standing up as well as screaming.The initial set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, full of epic shots and also impressive games. One video game lasted 18 aspects topped much more than a lots mesmerizing mins, featuring 5 break odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic managed to accommodate for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he thus often is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a physical body offer, yet Djokovic glided merely sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return champion. After 2 errors through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley winner as well as relied on encounter his family members with a clenched fist had high.Another collection, and also one more tiebreaker, later on, and also Djokovic possessed that medal that he yearned for, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem finished sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also took it to his lips for a kiss.