.PARIS-- For every one of his Conquest champions and various other labels, for each of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, definitely desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last significant success overlooking coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He lastly received one at age 37, as well as no matter a little how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and also uniformly matched males's tennis songs final at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my heart, my spirit, my body, my household-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Unbelievable fight. Incredible match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding profession currently featured a males's- report 24 Conquest prizes and also one of the most full weeks invested atop in the ranks by any sort of male or even woman. It likewise presently consisted of a Summer months Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was a bronze-- and he made it very 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 in that cycle at the Games. He dropped to the eventual gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I resembled, 'OK, let's get through this one.' That is actually why today, before the fit, I carried out not feel as concerned as I will ordinarily experience, because I had secured an award." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the right leg that demanded surgical operation for a torn lens 2 months back, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second round as well as eliminated his long time rival in straight collections. Right now Djokovic is the earliest guy to gain the singles gold in his sport due to the fact that 1908-- and also he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his legs after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his very first occupation gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, thanks to one final forehand winner, Djokovic switched toward his crew in the stands-- being in front of his better half as well as their two little ones-- dropped his noise and also knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever before, he sobbed and also covered his face, at that point rose and also grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the difficult minutes, he provided it an extra press," Alcaraz mentioned by means of his very own tears. "It harms to drop enjoy this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, 50 moments regardless of being actually determined in only pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz won to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in last year's ultimate at the All of England Nightclub, but Djokovic succeeded when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the site made use of for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an enthralling competition, including one of the very best to ever before do it in Djokovic, and the greatest right now in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could have been discouraging for Djokovic to discover themself once more throughout the web from a younger, faster variation of themself. Maybe that's why Djokovic often searched for and also gestured as well as whispered towards his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." In all honesty, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was the only moment I actually assumed I can win the match," Djokovic said.It needed long swaps full of outstanding ball-striking, quick decline shots-- Alcaraz's tended to be even more prosperous, at times so really good Djokovic dropped to also provide pursuit-- and also enormous sprinting, moving, extending protection at each ends. They offered so well that not either obtained broken even once: Djokovic saved eight break factors, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, possibly, was actually just how precisely both men played, in spite of the skill of the resistance and also pressure of the occasion.The only shame, perhaps, for the supporters-- and typically, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set style, as opposed to the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Create indisputable, this experience in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a significant final.Those in the positions became part of the series, repeatedly bursting out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, creating a theatrical fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz sought to position a rebound, his proponents started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois sometimes helped remind people to remain noiseless throughout the action.Yet the spot additionally came to be as silent as a theater in between aspects, good enough to ensure that play was actually delayed briefly when the sky thick with expectancy was actually punctured by a child's crying.Both males played to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one decrease go and down payment it over the internet for a champion, he indulged the raucous reaction through aiming his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand champion on the go to top a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he waved both upper arms expenses to promote individuals who actually were standing up and also screaming.The 1st collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hours, full of impressive shots and also epic video games. One video game lasted 18 factors topped much more than a dozen enchanting minutes, including five break chances for Alcaraz, before Djokovic took care of to carry for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he thus often is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body system serve, but Djokovic glided only sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand profit champion. After two errors by Alcaraz, Djokovic made a battery winner as well as looked to face his family members with a fist had high.Another collection, as well as another sudden death, eventually, and also Djokovic possessed that award that he wished, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and took it to his lips for an embrace.