.PARIS-- For all of his Grand Slam champions and various other titles, for all of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, really preferred an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final substantial success missing out on coming from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately received one at age 37, and also it doesn't matter a little how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing and evenly matched men's ping pong songs final at the 2024 Games on Sunday." I place my soul, my spirit, my body, my family-- my whatever-- vulnerable to succeed Olympic gold," Djokovic pointed out. "Amazing fight. Extraordinary match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis impressive profession currently included a guys's- file 24 Grand Slam prizes as well as the absolute most weeks spent atop in the rankings through any sort of male or even lady. It likewise currently had a Summertime Olympics award, coming from 2008, but it was a bronze-- and also he produced it clear that just wasn't sufficient.Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 during that round at the Gamings. He dropped to the resulting gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before dealing with Musetti, Djokovic mentioned, "I felt like, 'OK, permit's make it through this set.' That's why today, just before the complement, I did certainly not feel as stressed as I would usually feel, given that I had protected an award." In Paris, wearing a grey sleeve over the correct leg that needed surgical treatment for a torn crescent 2 months ago, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second cycle and removed his long time rival in straight sets. Now Djokovic is the earliest guy to win the songs gold in his sport because 1908-- as well as he protected against Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from becoming the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic drops to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to win his initial job gold medal. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, due to one final forehand winner, Djokovic turned towards his staff in the positions-- being in front of his spouse and their pair of children-- fell his noise and also knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever before, he burst into tears and also covered his face, at that point advanced and also ordered a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swung the banner." In the tough minutes, he gave it an added press," Alcaraz said with his personal rips. "It injures to drop such as this." The final, which lasted 2 hrs, 50 moments regardless of being actually determined in only two collections, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to comply with up his French Open headline in June.Alcaraz likewise beat Djokovic in last year's final at the All of England Club, however Djokovic gained when they fulfilled in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court competition held at Roland Garros, the internet site used for tennis during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's contest was an appealing match, including among the best to ever before do it in Djokovic, as well as the very best currently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it could possibly have been actually irritating for Djokovic to locate themself once more throughout the net from a younger, speedier version of themself. Maybe that's why Djokovic often looked up and also gesticulated and whispered towards his attendee box.Still, he prevailed." Frankly, when the swan song experienced him, past him, that was actually the only second I in fact believed I may succeed the suit," Djokovic said.It needed long swaps full of outstanding ball-striking, deft drop chances-- Alcaraz's usually tended to become a lot more prosperous, in some cases therefore excellent Djokovic decreased to even give chase-- and also remarkable sprinting, sliding, stretching self defense at both ends. They provided so properly that neither got broken even when: Djokovic saved eight rest factors, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, maybe, was actually exactly how safely each men participated in, even with the ability of the opposition and also stress of the occasion.The only shame, maybe, for the fans-- and also naturally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics makes use of a best-of-three-set format, as opposed to the best-of-five at Grand Slam events. Help make indisputable, this experience between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and also No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the stands entered into the program, consistently breaking out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, generating a sonant fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz sought to mount a revival, his promoters began chanting, "Si, se puede!" (essentially, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois periodically reminded people to stay soundless throughout the action.Yet the area additionally became as quiet as a theater between factors, sufficient to ensure play was actually postponed quickly when the air close expectancy was pierced through a kid's crying.Both guys played to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to hit one reduce try and deposit it over the internet for a victor, he basked in the raucous response through pointing his best index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand champion on the run to cap a 10-shot lead to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he waved both arms overhead to motivate people who currently were actually standing up and also screaming.The 1st collection alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hrs, full of legendary gos and also impressive activities. One game lasted 18 points topped much more than a lots thrilling moments, including 5 rest odds for Alcaraz, before Djokovic managed to contain for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in , as he so commonly is, taking the last 4 points.At 3-all, Alcaraz provided a physical body provide, yet Djokovic glided merely good enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return victor. After two blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a battery champion as well as relied on face his loved ones along with a hand conducted high.Another collection, and another tiebreaker, eventually, and also Djokovic had that award that he desired, at lengthy last.When the Serbian national anthem ended up calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold as well as brought it to his lips for an embrace.