.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam champions and also various other titles, for each one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, actually wished an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final significant success skipping coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at age 37, and no matter a little bit how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating as well as evenly matched guys's ping pong songs final at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my heart, my spirit, my physical body, my loved ones-- my every thing-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic stated. "Extraordinary war. Extraordinary battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis remarkable job currently featured a guys's- report 24 Grand Slam trophies as well as the most full weeks invested atop in the ranks through any sort of male or lady. It also already consisted of a Summer months Olympics medal, coming from 2008, but it was a bronze-- and he made it very 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 because round at the Video games. He shed to the possible gold winner 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 experiencing Musetti, Djokovic said, "I felt like, 'OK, let's make it through this one.' That is actually why today, before the suit, I did certainly not think as worried as I would generally believe, because I had actually protected an award." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the right knee that demanded surgical treatment for a torn curve 2 months back, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second round and eliminated his long time opponent in straight collections. Currently Djokovic is the oldest guy to gain the songs gold in his sport since 1908-- as well as he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, due to one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned towards his team in the positions-- partaking front of his spouse as well as their two little ones-- dropped his racket as well as knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever, he wept and also covered his face, at that point increased as well as nabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the tough instants, he offered it an added press," Alcaraz stated through his personal rips. "It hurts to lose like this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hours, fifty moments despite being actually chosen in only pair of sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to adhere to up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz also beat Djokovic in in 2014's final at the All England Club, but Djokovic won when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition kept at Roland Garros, the website utilized for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an enthralling match, featuring among the very best to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the most ideal presently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it might have been actually irritating for Djokovic to find himself once again throughout the internet coming from a much younger, faster variation of themself. Perhaps that is actually why Djokovic frequently looked up as well as gestured and murmured toward his guest box.Still, he triumphed." In all honesty, when the swan song looked at him, past him, that was actually the only second I really thought I may gain the match," Djokovic said.It needed long swaps loaded with superb ball-striking, skilled reduce shots-- Alcaraz's tended to become more prosperous, occasionally therefore excellent Djokovic dropped to also offer chase-- as well as tremendous sprinting, moving, flexing defense at both ends. They served therefore well that neither received equalized when: Djokovic saved 8 rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, perhaps, was actually how safely each guys played, regardless of the skill of the hostility and also tension of the occasion.The simply pity, perhaps, for the enthusiasts-- and naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Create no mistake, this encounter in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the stands entered into the series, consistently bursting out right into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that usually overlapped, developing an operatic fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz attempted to position a resurgence, his supporters began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois from time to time helped remind individuals to remain silent during the action.Yet the place additionally became as silent as a movie theater in between factors, good enough so that play was delayed for a while when the sky thick with apprehension was punctured through a young child's crying.Both guys participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz raced to reach one decrease go and deposit it over the net for a victor, he basked in the raucous response through pointing his correct index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand victor on the go to top a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swung both arms overhead to urge individuals that already were standing up and screaming.The first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, full of epic tries and also legendary games. One video game lasted 18 aspects spread over much more than a dozen thrilling mins, consisting of 5 break opportunities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic dealt with to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in crunch time, as he so frequently is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body provide, however Djokovic slid simply enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand gain champion. After 2 blunders by Alcaraz, Djokovic generated a volley champion and counted on encounter his household with a clenched fist had high.Another collection, and also another tiebreaker, later on, 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 delivered it to his lips for a kiss.