.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam champions as well as other headlines, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, definitely preferred an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final significant achievement missing out on from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately got one at age 37, and it doesn't matter a bit the length of time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and also uniformly matched males's tennis songs final at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I put my soul, my soul, my body system, my household-- my every thing-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic said. "Amazing struggle. Fabulous battle." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis outstanding profession actually included a men's- file 24 Conquest prizes and also the best full weeks spent atop in the positions by any sort of male or lady. It likewise already consisted of a Summer months Olympics medal, coming from 2008, however it was actually a bronze-- and he produced it crystal clear that just had not been sufficient.Until he got past bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that cycle at the Games. He shed to the resulting gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic pointed out, "I was like, 'OK, permit's survive this set.' That is actually why today, before the fit, I carried out certainly not feel as concerned as I will ordinarily feel, due to the fact that I had actually safeguarded a medal." In Paris, using a grey sleeve over the right knee that called for surgical operation for a torn lens 2 months ago, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the 2nd cycle and also removed his long time rival in organized collections. Currently Djokovic is actually the oldest guy to win the songs gold in his sport given that 1908-- as well as he prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic goes down to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial job gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, with the help of one last forehand champion, Djokovic turned towards his group in the positions-- partaking front of his partner and their two kids-- dropped his noise as well as knelt on the clay-based. As mental as ever, he wailed as well as covered his face, then progressed and also got hold of a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the positions, Djokovic swung the flag." In the tough minutes, he provided it an additional press," Alcaraz stated via his personal splits. "It hurts to drop such as this." The last, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 moments despite being actually decided in just pair of sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz gained to comply with up his French Open title in June.Alcaraz additionally defeated Djokovic in in 2015's ultimate at the All England Club, yet Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition secured at Roland Garros, the website made use of for tennis during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually an enthralling match, including one of the very best to ever perform it in Djokovic, and the most ideal right now in Alcaraz. Definitely, it might have been actually frustrating for Djokovic to discover himself once again across the internet coming from a younger, speedier model of himself. Maybe that's why Djokovic frequently looked up and also gestured and also murmured towards 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 in fact believed I may win the suit," Djokovic said.It called for long substitutions full of fantastic ball-striking, ingenious decline gos-- Alcaraz's tended to become even more successful, occasionally therefore really good Djokovic dropped to even offer hunt-- and also enormous sprinting, moving, stretching defense at both ends. They served therefore well that neither acquired equalized when: Djokovic spared eight break points, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, maybe, was exactly how precisely each men participated in, even with the ability of the hostility and also tension of the occasion.The simply shame, maybe, for the supporters-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Make no mistake, this experience in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the positions became part of the show, consistently breaking out in to carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, creating an operatic fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz attempted to position a return, his supporters started shouting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow flags. Office chair moderator Damien Dumusois periodically helped remind people to remain noiseless throughout the action.Yet the spot likewise came to be as peaceful as a cinema between points, sufficient so that play was put off for a while when the air close apprehension was punctured by a little one's crying.Both males played to the group. When Alcaraz raced to hit one reduce try and deposit it over the internet for a winner, he basked in the raucous response through aiming his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand winner on the run to cover a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second sudden death, he swung both upper arms overhead to urge individuals who presently were standing up and also screaming.The first collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with impressive tries and also impressive video games. One game lasted 18 factors spread over greater than a number of mesmerizing mins, featuring five break opportunities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic managed to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he so usually is actually, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body offer, but Djokovic moved only enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand return victor. After pair of blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley champion and turned to experience his household with a first held high.Another collection, and also another tiebreaker, later on, and also Djokovic had that award that he desired, at long last.When the Serbian national anthem finished ringing out at Court of law Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold and also took it to his lips for a caress.