.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest championships and also various other headlines, for every one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, really wanted an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last significant success overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually obtained one at age 37, and it doesn't matter a little how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and uniformly matched males's ping pong single people final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my soul, my soul, my body system, my loved ones-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Astonishing fight. Unbelievable fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive job actually featured a men's- document 24 Conquest prizes as well as the absolute most weeks devoted atop in the ranks by any kind of guy or even girl. It additionally presently had a Summer Olympics award, from 2008, however it was actually a bronze-- as well as he created it clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that round at the Video games. He lost to the ultimate gold champion each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's survive this set.' That is actually why today, before the complement, I carried out not experience as nervous as I would usually believe, due to the fact that I had actually gotten an award." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the correct leg that required surgical operation for a torn curve two months ago, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the 2nd cycle and also eliminated his longtime opponent in organized collections. Currently Djokovic is the oldest male to win the single people gold in his sport due to the fact that 1908-- and he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial occupation gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, because of one last forehand victor, Djokovic transformed towards his group in the positions-- being in front of his other half as well as their pair of kids-- dropped his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever before, he cried and covered his face, after that increased and nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the tough seconds, he offered it an extra press," Alcaraz claimed via his very own rips. "It harms to shed enjoy this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, 50 moments despite being chosen in merely 2 collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2014's final at the All England Nightclub, yet Djokovic won when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the website made use of for ping pong during these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing matchup, featuring among the very best to ever perform it in Djokovic, as well as the very best at the moment in Alcaraz. Certainly, it might have been disheartening for Djokovic to discover themself once more around the net coming from a younger, speedier version of himself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic regularly found as well as gestured and also muttered toward his attendee box.Still, he came out on top." Truthfully, when the last shot experienced him, past him, that was the only minute I actually believed I can easily succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long substitutions full of fantastic ball-striking, skilled reduce shots-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to be much more productive, occasionally thus good Djokovic declined to even provide chase-- and also tremendous sprinting, sliding, extending defense at each ends. They provided so properly that neither acquired broken even as soon as: Djokovic saved eight break factors, Alcaraz six.Most exceptional, perhaps, was exactly how safely each guys participated in, in spite of the talent of the resistance and pressure of the occasion.The simply embarassment, maybe, for the enthusiasts-- as well as normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set style, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Produce no mistake, this experience in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands became part of the program, frequently breaking out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, making an orchestral fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz sought to install a resurgence, his promoters began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois sometimes reminded people to remain noiseless in the course of the action.Yet the location likewise came to be as silent as a movie theater in between aspects, sufficient to ensure that play was actually postponed temporarily when the sky close apprehension was pierced by a young kid's crying.Both males played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one decrease try and also deposit it over the net for a champion, he indulged the raucous response through pointing his ideal forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand winner on the go to cap a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swung both arms expenses to encourage individuals that presently were actually standing and also screaming.The 1st collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, filled with legendary tries and impressive video games. One activity lasted 18 points topped much more than a loads magical minutes, including five rest chances for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to hold for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he so typically is actually, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body system serve, yet Djokovic moved simply enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit victor. After two mistakes by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley winner as well as turned to encounter his household along with a hand conducted high.Another collection, and an additional tiebreaker, later on, and Djokovic possessed that medal that he really wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold as well as carried it to his lips for a caress.