.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam champions as well as other headlines, for each of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, really desired an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final considerable accomplishment overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally acquired one at grow older 37, as well as it does not matter a little how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and evenly matched men's ping pong singles final at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my body system, my family members-- my every thing-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Awesome struggle. Fabulous fight." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding career presently included a guys's- record 24 Grand Slam prizes as well as the best weeks invested atop in the ranks through any guy or even girl. It additionally presently had a Summer season Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- as well as he created it very clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 because cycle at the Video 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 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I resembled, 'OK, let's make it through this one.' That is actually why today, just before the suit, I did certainly not think as concerned as I would commonly believe, because I had secured an award." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the ideal leg that demanded surgical operation for a torn curve two months ago, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the 2nd round and also removed his long time competitor in straight sets. Right now Djokovic is the oldest man to gain the singles gold in his sporting activity due to the fact that 1908-- and also he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his first occupation gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, due to one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned towards his group in the stands-- being in front of his wife and their two little ones-- dropped his noise and knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever before, he burst into tears as well as covered his face, at that point progressed as well as snatched a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the hard seconds, he gave it an additional press," Alcaraz stated with his personal splits. "It hurts to lose enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 moments regardless of being determined in only pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to observe up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2015's last at the All England Nightclub, but Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition held at Roland Garros, the website used for ping pong in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was a fascinating matchup, featuring some of the very best to ever do it in Djokovic, as well as the greatest at the moment in Alcaraz. Indeed, it could possibly possess been frustrating for Djokovic to locate himself once again throughout the net coming from a younger, faster version of themself. Possibly that's why Djokovic regularly looked up and also gesticulated and also murmured toward his guest box.Still, he triumphed." In all honesty, when the last shot underwent him, past him, that was actually the only instant I in fact believed I may win the match," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges loaded with superb ball-striking, skilled decrease gos-- Alcaraz's tended to be much more successful, at times therefore good Djokovic dropped to even give pursuit-- as well as enormous sprinting, sliding, extending self defense at both ends. They provided thus effectively that neither got recovered cost when: Djokovic spared 8 break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, probably, was actually just how precisely each men participated in, in spite of the talent of the resistance and tension of the occasion.The merely pity, possibly, for the followers-- 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. Produce indisputable, this conflict between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final.Those in the stands became part of the series, repeatedly breaking out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, generating a theatrical fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz attempted to install a comeback, his supporters began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat umpire Damien Dumusois sometimes advised people to stay noiseless during the action.Yet the spot likewise came to be as quiet as a theatre in between factors, enough to ensure play was actually put off briefly when the sky close apprehension was punctured through a young child's crying.Both men played to the crowd. When Alcaraz dashed to reach one reduce go and deposit it over the internet for a champion, he indulged the rowdy response by directing his best forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand victor on the run to cap a 10-shot suggest lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swung both upper arms cost to urge folks that already were actually standing as well as screaming.The very first collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, full of impressive shots and also legendary activities. One game lasted 18 aspects spread over greater than a number of enchanting minutes, including five break odds for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic dealt with to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in crunch time, as he so frequently is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body system provide, yet Djokovic glided just good enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand yield victor. After pair of mistakes through Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley champion as well as relied on encounter his loved ones along with a clenched fist had high.Another collection, and yet another sudden death, eventually, as well as Djokovic possessed that medal that he really wanted, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up sounding out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and also took it to his lips for an embrace.