.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest championships and other headlines, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, really wished an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the final substantial achievement overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at grow older 37, and it matters not a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and uniformly matched men's tennis songs last at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my heart, my soul, my physical body, my loved ones-- my whatever-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Extraordinary battle. Incredible match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding career actually featured a men's- report 24 Conquest prizes and the best full weeks invested atop in the positions through any sort of male or even lady. It also presently included a Summertime Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- and he made it crystal clear that just had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because round at the Games. He shed to the resulting gold champion each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic said, "I resembled, 'OK, let's make it through this one.' That's why today, prior to the complement, I carried out not believe as concerned as I would typically experience, because I had gotten a medal." In Paris, putting on a gray sleeve over the correct knee that required surgical treatment for a torn curve two months ago, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second round as well as removed his longtime rival in organized collections. Now Djokovic is the oldest man to win the singles gold in his sport because 1908-- and he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his legs after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, with the help of one final forehand victor, Djokovic switched toward his crew in the positions-- being in front of his partner and also their pair of children-- fell his racket and also knelt on the clay. As psychological as ever before, he wailed as well as covered his face, then rose and also grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the hard instants, he gave it an additional push," Alcaraz said through his own rips. "It hurts to drop like this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 moments even with being actually chosen in simply pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in in 2015's ultimate at the All England Nightclub, but Djokovic gained when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition secured at Roland Garros, the website used for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually an appealing match, including some of the best to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and the best currently in Alcaraz. Without a doubt, it might possess been irritating for Djokovic to find themself once more across the net coming from a younger, faster version of themself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic often looked up and also gestured and whispered toward his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." In all honesty, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was the only second I in fact believed I can easily gain the match," Djokovic said.It needed long substitutions loaded with superb ball-striking, deft drop chances-- Alcaraz's usually tended to be much more productive, sometimes so really good Djokovic dropped to even offer pursuit-- and tremendous sprinting, gliding, extending protection at both ends. They served therefore well that neither got recovered cost when: Djokovic spared eight break factors, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, possibly, was actually exactly how easily each men participated in, regardless of the ability of the resistance and also tension of the occasion.The only shame, maybe, for the fans-- and naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Help make indisputable, this meet between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a significant final.Those in the positions became part of the program, continuously bursting out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, developing a sonant fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz attempted to position a revival, his followers started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois from time to time helped remind people to stay soundless throughout the action.Yet the place additionally became as silent as a theatre between factors, sufficient to ensure that play was actually delayed for a while when the air close anticipation was actually pierced by a young kid's crying.Both guys participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to hit one drop try as well as deposit it over the internet for a victor, he indulged in the raucous reaction through pointing his ideal index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand victor on the run to cap a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he waved both arms overhead to urge people who currently were standing and screaming.The very first set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, loaded with impressive tries and legendary games. One activity lasted 18 aspects spread over more than a dozen enchanting minutes, featuring 5 break odds for Alcaraz, before Djokovic dealt with to hold for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he so frequently is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body offer, but Djokovic glided simply sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand yield winner. After pair of oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a battery winner and also relied on encounter his loved ones with a first hosted high.Another set, as well as another tiebreaker, later, and also Djokovic possessed that medal that he preferred, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and brought it to his lips for a kiss.