.PARIS-- For all of his Conquest champions as well as other headlines, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, definitely desired an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final considerable success overlooking from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally acquired one at grow older 37, and no matter a little bit how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and uniformly matched males's ping pong singles final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my heart, my soul, my body system, my loved ones-- my every little thing-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Awesome fight. Amazing battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive occupation currently featured a guys's- document 24 Grand Slam prizes and also the most weeks devoted atop in the ranks through any kind of guy or even female. It also already consisted of a Summertime Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- and he made it very clear that merely wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that cycle at the Games. He shed to the possible gold champion each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I resembled, 'OK, allow's get through this.' That is actually why today, prior to the complement, I did not think as nervous as I will typically feel, because I had actually secured an award." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the appropriate leg that called for surgical procedure for a torn crescent two months earlier, Djokovic dealt with Nadal in the 2nd round and also eliminated his long time competitor in straight sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest guy to gain the songs gold in his sporting activity since 1908-- and he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, that is 21, from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his 1st profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, thanks to one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned toward his crew in the stands-- being in front of his wife as well as their two youngsters-- lost his racket as well as knelt on the clay. As psychological as ever before, he burst into tears and covered his face, then increased and ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the positions, Djokovic swayed the flag." In the hard moments, he provided it an added push," Alcaraz stated through his own rips. "It harms to drop similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, fifty minutes regardless of being made a decision in only pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon championship three weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to follow up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz likewise defeated Djokovic in last year's last at the All of England Nightclub, however Djokovic gained when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court event secured at Roland Garros, the web site used for ping pong in the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was a fascinating competition, including among the best to ever before perform it in Djokovic, and the very best right now in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could possess been discouraging for Djokovic to find himself once again around the web from a more youthful, faster version of himself. Maybe that's why Djokovic regularly sought out and also gesticulated and also sputtered toward his attendee box.Still, he came out on top." Honestly, when the swan song looked at him, past him, that was actually the only instant I really believed I may succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long exchanges filled with exceptional ball-striking, quick drop gos-- Alcaraz's tended to become more productive, sometimes thus excellent Djokovic declined to even give chase-- and also incredible sprinting, sliding, stretching protection at both ends. They offered so well that neither acquired recovered cost the moment: Djokovic spared eight break points, Alcaraz six.Most outstanding, maybe, was actually just how cleanly each guys played, in spite of the talent of the hostility as well as tension of the occasion.The just shame, probably, for the enthusiasts-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set style, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Produce no mistake, this experience between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a primary final.Those in the stands became part of the show, consistently breaking out into choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, generating a sonant fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz attempted to position a revival, his supporters began shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Seat umpire Damien Dumusois from time to time helped remind folks to remain quiet during the course of the action.Yet the area also became as silent as a theatre between points, good enough to ensure that play was delayed quickly when the sky thick with apprehension was actually punctured through a child's crying.Both males participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to arrive at one decline try as well as down payment it over the net for a winner, he indulged in the rowdy response by aiming his right index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand winner on the run to top a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swung both arms expenses to promote individuals that actually were standing up and screaming.The 1st collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, packed with impressive chances and also epic activities. One video game lasted 18 aspects spread over greater than a dozen exciting minutes, including five rest chances for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic dealt with to carry for a 5-4 top. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he therefore usually is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body provide, yet Djokovic moved simply enough to his left to punch a cross-court forehand gain champion. After 2 mistakes by Alcaraz, Djokovic made a battery champion and relied on face his loved ones along with a hand hosted high.Another set, and another tiebreaker, eventually, as well as Djokovic had that medal that he wanted, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem finished ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as delivered it to his lips for a caress.