.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest champions as well as various other headlines, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic truly, truly wished an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last substantial success missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately got one at age 37, and no matter a little bit for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating as well as evenly matched men's ping pong songs final at the 2024 Gamings on Sunday." I place my center, my soul, my body system, my family-- my everything-- on the line to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Astonishing war. Awesome fight." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent occupation already included a men's- report 24 Conquest trophies and the absolute most weeks spent atop in the ranks by any male or even lady. It additionally actually contained a Summertime Olympics medal, from 2008, however it was actually a bronze-- and he made it very clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion 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 champion each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I was like, 'OK, allow's make it through this.' That is actually why today, just before the complement, I did not believe as anxious as I will commonly think, given that I had protected an award." In Paris, using a gray sleeve over the correct leg that required surgical procedure for a torn curve pair of months earlier, Djokovic faced Nadal in the 2nd round and also removed his long time competitor in straight sets. Currently Djokovic is actually the oldest guy to gain the songs gold in his sporting activity considering that 1908-- as well as he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial job gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, with the help of one final forehand victor, Djokovic turned towards his staff in the positions-- being in front of his other half and also their pair of kids-- dropped his racket and knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he wailed as well as covered his face, at that point progressed and also grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic waved the flag." In the challenging moments, he provided it an extra push," Alcaraz pointed out via his very own splits. "It hurts to shed enjoy this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 mins regardless of being actually made a decision in just pair of sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to comply with up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All England Club, but Djokovic won when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court tournament kept at Roland Garros, the website made use of for tennis throughout these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating competition, including one of the greatest to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and the best currently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it could have been frustrating for Djokovic to discover himself once more across the internet coming from a more youthful, speedier version of himself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic regularly searched for as well as gesticulated and also sputtered toward his attendee box.Still, he came out on top." Truthfully, when the swan song looked at him, past him, that was actually the only moment I in fact presumed I may succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long swaps filled with fantastic ball-striking, nimble reduce gos-- Alcaraz's usually tended to become extra effective, often thus good Djokovic decreased to also provide hunt-- and also enormous sprinting, gliding, flexing defense at each ends. They provided thus effectively that neither received equalized when: Djokovic conserved eight rest aspects, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, possibly, was just how safely each guys played, even with the skill of the hostility and also stress of the occasion.The only shame, probably, for the fans-- as well as normally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set layout, instead of the best-of-five at Conquest competitions. Make no mistake, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a primary 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 often overlapped, developing an orchestral fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to position a rebound, his followers started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow banners. Seat umpire Damien Dumusois occasionally advised folks to stay silent in the course of the action.Yet the place likewise ended up being as peaceful as a theatre in between points, good enough in order that play was postponed for a while when the air thick with expectancy was actually punctured by a young kid's crying.Both guys participated in to the group. When Alcaraz competed to arrive at one decrease try as well as deposit it over the web for a champion, he basked in the rowdy reaction by aiming his ideal index finger to his ear. When Djokovic entwined a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cap a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms overhead to urge people that already were standing as well as screaming.The very first set alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hrs, packed with epic shots as well as impressive games. One game lasted 18 points topped much more than a dozen thrilling mins, featuring 5 rest odds for Alcaraz, before Djokovic dealt with to hold for a 5-4 top. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he therefore commonly is actually, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body system provide, however Djokovic slid merely enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand profit champion. After 2 oversights by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley winner as well as counted on face his household with a clenched fist held high.Another collection, as well as yet another tiebreaker, later on, and Djokovic possessed that award that he yearned for, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up ringing out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and took it to his lips for a kiss.