.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest champions and also other titles, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, really wanted an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last substantial accomplishment overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at grow older 37, as well as it matters not a bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and evenly matched men's ping pong songs ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I place my soul, my soul, my physical body, my family members-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Unbelievable struggle. Incredible fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive profession currently featured a guys's- document 24 Conquest prizes and also the best weeks devoted atop in the rankings through any kind of guy or even lady. It additionally already had a Summer months Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- as well as he created it crystal clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that round at the Gamings. He dropped to the possible gold champion each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I was like, 'OK, let's survive this set.' That's why today, before the match, I carried out not believe as nervous as I will typically experience, since I had actually safeguarded an award." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the ideal knee that needed surgery for a torn lens pair of months back, Djokovic faced Nadal in the 2nd round and also eliminated his longtime rival in organized sets. Currently Djokovic is actually the oldest male to win the singles gold in his sport given that 1908-- and also he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his 1st profession gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, thanks to one last forehand champion, Djokovic transformed towards his crew in the positions-- being in front of his wife and also their pair of little ones-- dropped his noise as well as knelt on the clay. As psychological as ever, he burst into tears as well as covered his face, at that point advanced and got a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic waved the flag." In the difficult minutes, he offered it an added press," Alcaraz mentioned via his personal tears. "It harms to lose enjoy this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, fifty minutes even with being actually made a decision in merely pair of collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2014's last at the All England Nightclub, however Djokovic succeeded when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament secured at Roland Garros, the site made use of for ping pong in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating competition, including some of the best to ever before do it in Djokovic, and also the most effective at the moment in Alcaraz. Certainly, it could possess been actually irritating for Djokovic to locate themself once again across the net coming from a younger, speedier version of themself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic regularly searched for as well as gestured as well as whispered towards his attendee box.Still, he prevailed." Frankly, when the swan song looked at him, past him, that was actually the only minute I actually thought I may win the match," Djokovic said.It called for long substitutions filled with superb ball-striking, quick decrease shots-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to be more successful, in some cases thus great Djokovic declined to also provide hunt-- and also incredible sprinting, moving, stretching self defense at both ends. They provided therefore well that neither acquired recovered cost as soon as: Djokovic spared 8 breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, maybe, was actually exactly how easily both guys participated in, in spite of the skill of the opposition and also pressure of the occasion.The only shame, possibly, for the followers-- and also normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set layout, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest events. Make indisputable, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the positions became part of the series, repeatedly breaking out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, creating an operatic fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to place a comeback, his advocates started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois from time to time helped remind people to continue to be silent during the course of the action.Yet the spot also became as peaceful as a cinema between aspects, sufficient to ensure play was put off temporarily when the air close anticipation was actually pierced by a child's crying.Both men played to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to hit one reduce go and deposit it over the net for a winner, he indulged the raucous response through aiming his appropriate index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cover a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swung both upper arms expenses to promote people that currently were standing and also screaming.The initial set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, loaded with legendary gos and epic video games. One game lasted 18 factors spread over more than a loads enchanting mins, including five rest odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic handled to accommodate for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in , as he therefore often is, taking the final 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a physical body offer, however Djokovic glided only good enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand profit victor. After pair of oversights through Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a battery winner and turned to face his family members with a hand hosted high.Another set, and yet another sudden death, later, and also Djokovic had that medal that he wanted, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem finished ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as took it to his lips for a kiss.