.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam champions as well as other titles, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, definitely yearned for an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last considerable accomplishment skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally received one at grow older 37, and also never mind a little bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and also evenly matched men's ping pong songs final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my soul, my soul, my body system, my family-- my whatever-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Incredible war. Incredible match." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable job actually featured a males's- record 24 Conquest prizes and also the best full weeks spent atop in the ranks by any kind of man or girl. It likewise already had a Summer Olympics award, from 2008, but it was a bronze-- as well as he created it clear that just had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that cycle at the Games. He shed to the ultimate gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, as well as Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I was like, 'OK, permit's get through this set.' That is actually why today, prior to the fit, I performed not think as concerned as I will normally think, since I had protected a medal." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the appropriate knee that required surgical procedure for a torn lens 2 months ago, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the second round and eliminated his longtime rival in organized sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest man to win the songs gold in his sporting activity since 1908-- and also he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial job gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, thanks to one final forehand winner, Djokovic switched toward his crew in the positions-- partaking front of his spouse as well as their two youngsters-- fell his racket and knelt on the clay. As mental as ever before, he burst into tears and also covered his face, after that progressed and grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swayed the banner." In the challenging instants, he gave it an added press," Alcaraz said with his very own rips. "It harms to lose similar to this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty minutes in spite of being decided in just 2 collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to comply with up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2015's ultimate 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 used for tennis in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually a fascinating match, including among the best to ever before do it in Djokovic, and also the most ideal right now in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could possibly have been discouraging for Djokovic to find themself once again throughout the internet from a more youthful, speedier model of themself. Possibly that is actually why Djokovic often found as well as gestured as well as muttered towards his attendee box.Still, he triumphed." Truthfully, when the swan song underwent him, past him, that was the only moment I in fact presumed I can gain the match," Djokovic said.It called for long substitutions full of superb ball-striking, deft decrease gos-- Alcaraz's tended to be extra successful, occasionally therefore good Djokovic declined to even provide pursuit-- as well as significant sprinting, moving, stretching defense at each ends. They offered thus properly that not either got broken even as soon as: Djokovic spared eight breather aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, maybe, was actually how cleanly both males participated in, even with the talent of the resistance and also tension of the occasion.The merely pity, perhaps, for the supporters-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Make indisputable, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the positions entered into the program, continuously bursting out right into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, producing a theatrical fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz tried to place a rebound, his fans started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (basically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Chair peacemaker Damien Dumusois occasionally helped remind individuals to continue to be silent during the course of the action.Yet the area additionally became as silent as a theatre in between points, good enough to ensure play was actually put off briefly when the sky close expectancy was actually punctured by a child's crying.Both men played to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to reach one decline go as well as down payment it over the net for a victor, he basked in the raucous response by directing his appropriate forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cap a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swung both upper arms cost to motivate individuals who presently were standing and also screaming.The very first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with legendary shots and legendary activities. One video game lasted 18 points spread over more than a number of enchanting mins, featuring 5 break opportunities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic handled to hold for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in , as he therefore commonly is actually, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body system serve, however Djokovic slid just sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand profit victor. After pair of oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley winner as well as relied on encounter his household along with a first hosted high.Another set, as well as an additional tiebreaker, later on, and also Djokovic possessed that medal that he preferred, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem completed ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and delivered it to his lips for a caress.