.PARIS-- For every one of his Grand Slam championships and other headlines, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, actually desired an Olympic gold award for Serbia, the last notable success missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He finally received one at age 37, and also never mind a little for how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and also evenly matched men's ping pong single people final at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my heart, my soul, my physical body, my family-- my every little thing-- on the line to win Olympic gold," Djokovic mentioned. "Unbelievable struggle. Fabulous battle." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional profession actually included a men's- report 24 Conquest trophies and also the most full weeks invested atop in the positions through any guy or female. It also presently had a Summer months Olympics medal, from 2008, yet it was a bronze-- as well as he made it clear that merely had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze champion Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 during that round at the Games. He dropped to the possible gold winner each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic stated, "I felt like, 'OK, let's survive this set.' That is actually why today, before the complement, I performed not believe as tense as I would commonly think, because I had actually gotten a medal." In Paris, wearing a grey sleeve over the appropriate leg that demanded surgical treatment for a torn meniscus 2 months earlier, Djokovic encountered Nadal in the second round as well as eliminated his longtime rival in straight collections. Now Djokovic is the earliest guy to gain the single people gold in his sport considering that 1908-- and he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, that is actually 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his very first occupation gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the victory was his, because of one last forehand winner, Djokovic switched toward his group in the stands-- being in front of his better half as well as their pair of little ones-- lost his racket and knelt on the clay. As mental as ever before, he sobbed and covered his face, then progressed as well as ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic waved the banner." In the difficult instants, he provided it an additional press," Alcaraz mentioned via his very own tears. "It injures to lose such as this." The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 minutes even with being actually chosen in just pair of collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to adhere to up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in in 2015's ultimate at the All England Nightclub, yet Djokovic gained when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event kept at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for ping pong during these Olympics.Sunday's competition was actually a fascinating match, featuring among the best to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the very best currently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it could possess been actually discouraging for Djokovic to locate themself once again around the net coming from a younger, speedier version of themself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic regularly looked up as well as gestured and sputtered towards his attendee box.Still, he prevailed." Honestly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was the only moment I really believed I can gain the suit," Djokovic said.It demanded long substitutions full of exceptional ball-striking, skilled drop shots-- Alcaraz's had a tendency to become much more successful, often therefore great Djokovic declined to even give hunt-- and incredible sprinting, gliding, flexing protection at each ends. They served thus effectively that not either acquired equalized when: Djokovic saved eight rest factors, Alcaraz six.Most amazing, perhaps, was exactly how precisely each men participated in, in spite of the skill of the resistance and also pressure of the occasion.The only pity, probably, for the supporters-- as well as normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, rather than the best-of-five at Conquest events. Create no mistake, this meet in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a primary final.Those in the stands entered into the program, frequently bursting out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that typically overlapped, creating a theatrical fugue. In the 2nd collection, as Alcaraz tried to position a resurgence, his followers started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while trembling their red-and-yellow banners. Chair moderator Damien Dumusois sometimes reminded folks to continue to be silent during the action.Yet the area likewise ended up being as peaceful as a theater between factors, sufficient to ensure play was actually put off for a while when the sky close anticipation was actually pierced by a child's crying.Both men participated in to the group. When Alcaraz dashed to get to one reduce shot and deposit it over the net for a champion, he basked in the raucous reaction through pointing his right forefinger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand winner on the run to cover a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the 2nd tiebreaker, he swayed both upper arms overhead to motivate folks who actually were actually standing as well as screaming.The first collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, full of impressive gos and also impressive games. One game lasted 18 factors spread over greater than a dozen magical minutes, featuring 5 rest possibilities for Alcaraz, prior to Djokovic dealt with to hold for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in do or die time, as he thus typically is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a body system offer, however Djokovic glided merely enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand yield victor. After two oversights by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley victor and counted on experience his loved ones with a fist conducted high.Another set, and also an additional sudden death, later on, and also Djokovic had that medal that he really wanted, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem completed sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold and took it to his lips for an embrace.