.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest champions and various other headlines, for every one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, truly preferred an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last significant achievement overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly acquired one at age 37, and also never mind a bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and also equally matched males's ping pong singles last at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my physical body, my loved ones-- my every thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Awesome struggle. Amazing match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional career presently included a males's- document 24 Grand Slam trophies as well as one of the most full weeks spent atop in the rankings through any type of man or even woman. It likewise already included a Summertime Olympics award, coming from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- as well as he created it crystal clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that round at the Video games. He dropped to the eventual gold victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before experiencing Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's make it through this set.' That is actually why today, prior to the fit, I performed certainly not feel as anxious as I would generally think, considering that I had actually secured a medal." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the ideal leg that called for surgical procedure for a torn meniscus pair of months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd cycle as well as removed his longtime rival in organized collections. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest male to gain the songs gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- and also he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his initial profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, because of one final forehand champion, Djokovic switched toward his crew in the stands-- being in front of his partner and their 2 youngsters-- lost his racket as well as knelt on the clay. As mental as ever before, he wailed and covered his face, after that increased as well as took hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic swung the flag." In the hard moments, he gave it an added press," Alcaraz said through his very own tears. "It injures to lose similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, fifty minutes even with being chosen in just 2 sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to adhere to up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in last year's final at the All of England Club, but Djokovic succeeded when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court event held at Roland Garros, the internet site used for ping pong during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was an appealing match, featuring some of the most ideal to ever before perform it in Djokovic, as well as the best presently in Alcaraz. Certainly, it could have been frustrating for Djokovic to find themself once again around the net from a more youthful, speedier variation of himself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic frequently sought out and also gestured and murmured towards his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Frankly, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was actually the only moment I actually thought I may win the suit," Djokovic said.It called for long substitutions full of terrific ball-striking, ingenious drop shots-- Alcaraz's tended to become much more prosperous, in some cases therefore good Djokovic decreased to even offer pursuit-- and also significant sprinting, moving, extending defense at both ends. They offered so properly that neither received equalized the moment: Djokovic saved eight breather factors, Alcaraz six.Most remarkable, possibly, was exactly how easily each men participated in, despite the skill of the opposition as well as tension of the occasion.The only pity, possibly, for the fans-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Make no mistake, this encounter 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 show, repetitively breaking out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that often overlapped, producing a theatrical fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz tried to place a comeback, his proponents began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois from time to time told people to continue to be quiet during the course of the action.Yet the place additionally came to be as silent as a movie theater between aspects, sufficient to ensure play was actually delayed briefly when the sky thick with anticipation was pierced through a child's crying.Both males participated in to the group. When Alcaraz raced to hit one drop chance as well as deposit it over the internet for a winner, he basked in the rowdy reaction through aiming his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand victor on the go to cap a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he swayed both arms overhead to urge people who currently were standing and screaming.The initial set alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with impressive chances and impressive video games. One game lasted 18 points topped greater than a lots magical moments, featuring 5 rest opportunities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic handled to accommodate for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in , as he therefore usually is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a body offer, but Djokovic moved simply good enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand profit victor. After 2 oversights by Alcaraz, Djokovic made a battery winner and relied on face his family with a fist hosted high.Another collection, as well as one more tiebreaker, later on, as well as Djokovic possessed that award that he really wanted, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also brought it to his lips for a caress.