.PARIS-- For each one of his Grand Slam champions and other titles, for each one of his opportunity at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, definitely wanted an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final substantial success skipping from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He eventually received one at age 37, as well as it does not matter a little how much time it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in an appealing as well as equally matched men's ping pong singles final at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my center, my soul, my body system, my family-- my whatever-- on the line to gain Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Fabulous battle. Awesome battle." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedHis exceptional profession presently included a guys's- record 24 Conquest trophies as well as the most weeks invested atop in the ranks through any man or even female. It additionally already consisted of a Summer Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was actually a bronze-- and he made it clear that simply had not been sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was actually 0-3 in that round at the Video games. He dropped to the ultimate gold champion each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at Greater London in 2012, and also Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before facing Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I was like, 'OK, let's get through this set.' That's why today, before the suit, I did certainly not experience as concerned as I would usually think, due to the fact that I had actually gotten a medal." In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the correct leg that needed surgical treatment for a torn meniscus 2 months earlier, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second cycle and also eliminated his long time competitor in straight collections. Currently Djokovic is actually the earliest man to win the single people gold in his sporting activity because 1908-- as well as he avoided Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from ending up being the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his first profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the triumph was his, due to one last forehand winner, Djokovic switched towards his team in the stands-- sitting in front of his spouse and also their two kids-- fell his noise and knelt on the clay-based. As psychological as ever before, he shed tears as well as covered his face, after that increased and grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After squeezes in the stands, Djokovic swung the flag." In the hard instants, he offered it an additional press," Alcaraz claimed through his own rips. "It harms to lose such as this." The ultimate, which lasted 2 hrs, fifty moments in spite of being made a decision in merely two sets, was actually a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three full weeks ago that Alcaraz succeeded to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2013's final at the All of England Club, but Djokovic gained when they satisfied in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the web site utilized for ping pong throughout these Olympics.Sunday's contest was actually a fascinating match, including among the most effective to ever do it in Djokovic, and the greatest presently in Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, it can possess been frustrating for Djokovic to locate themself once again all over the web coming from a younger, speedier version of themself. Perhaps that's why Djokovic often found as well as gestured as well as muttered towards his guest box.Still, he prevailed." Frankly, when the swan song looked at him, past him, that was the only second I really believed I may succeed the match," Djokovic said.It required long exchanges loaded with exceptional ball-striking, ingenious drop chances-- Alcaraz's tended to be more successful, often therefore really good Djokovic dropped to also offer pursuit-- and also significant sprinting, moving, extending defense at each ends. They served therefore well that neither received broken even as soon as: Djokovic saved eight break points, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, possibly, was just how easily each males played, regardless of the skill of the hostility and tension of the occasion.The only pity, possibly, for the fans-- and also typically, Alcaraz-- was actually that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set layout, rather than the best-of-five at Grand Slam competitions. Produce indisputable, this conflict in between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz deserved a major final.Those in the stands entered into the series, frequently breaking out in to choruses of "No-le! No-le!" or even "Car-los! Car-los!" that frequently overlapped, creating an operatic fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a revival, his supporters started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (generally, "Yes, you can!") while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Seat moderator Damien Dumusois periodically helped remind folks to stay noiseless during the course of the action.Yet the place likewise came to be as peaceful as a theatre between aspects, sufficient in order that play was put off temporarily when the air close anticipation was punctured by a child's crying.Both guys played to the crowd. When Alcaraz competed to get to one decline try and also down payment it over the web for a winner, he basked in the raucous reaction by aiming his ideal index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand victor on the go to cover a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he swayed both upper arms expenses to motivate folks who presently were standing up and screaming.The first collection alone lasted greater than 1 1/2 hrs, filled with impressive shots and also epic games. One video game lasted 18 points spread over much more than a loads exciting moments, featuring 5 break opportunities for Alcaraz, just before Djokovic managed to accommodate for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic transcended in , as he therefore frequently is, taking the final four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a physical body provide, yet Djokovic glided only good enough to his left to slap a cross-court forehand profit victor. After two mistakes by Alcaraz, Djokovic created a battery champion as well as relied on experience his loved ones with a clenched fist held high.Another set, and one more tiebreaker, eventually, and also Djokovic had that award that he yearned for, at lengthy last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up calling out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic reached for that gold as well as delivered it to his lips for an embrace.