.PARIS-- For each one of his Conquest championships and also various other headlines, for every one of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic actually, definitely preferred an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the final significant success missing from his glittering ru00e9sumu00e9.He ultimately got one at grow older 37, and never mind a bit how long it took.Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3 ), 7-6 (2) in a fascinating and also evenly matched men's ping pong single people ultimate at the 2024 Video games on Sunday." I put my center, my soul, my body, my loved ones-- my everything-- vulnerable to win Olympic gold," Djokovic claimed. "Fabulous battle. Amazing match." Editor's Picks2 RelatedHis excellent job actually featured a males's- report 24 Conquest trophies and also one of the most weeks spent atop in the rankings through any man or female. It additionally currently had a Summer Olympics award, from 2008, yet it was actually a bronze-- as well as he produced it crystal clear that simply wasn't sufficient.Until he surpassed bronze medalist 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 victor each opportunity: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo 3 years ago.Before encountering Musetti, Djokovic claimed, "I resembled, 'OK, permit's make it through this one.' That's why today, before the match, I did not feel as nervous as I would normally believe, given that I had actually protected a medal." In Paris, putting on a grey sleeve over the correct knee that called for surgical operation for a torn crescent 2 months earlier, Djokovic experienced Nadal in the second round and also removed his longtime opponent in organized sets. Right now Djokovic is actually the earliest male to win the single people gold in his sport given that 1908-- as well as he stopped Spain's Alcaraz, who is actually 21, coming from coming to be the youngest.Serbia's Novak Djokovic loses to his knees after hammering Spain's Carlos Alcaraz to gain his very first profession gold award. Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesWhen the success was his, thanks to one last forehand winner, Djokovic switched toward his staff in the stands-- sitting in front of his partner and also their 2 children-- lost his racket and also knelt on the clay-based. As emotional as ever before, he sobbed and also covered his face, then advanced as well as grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.After hugs in the stands, Djokovic swung the flag." In the challenging minutes, he gave it an additional push," Alcaraz stated through his personal splits. "It hurts to drop similar to this." The last, which lasted 2 hours, fifty moments regardless of being determined in merely 2 collections, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match 3 full weeks ago that Alcaraz won to observe up his French Open label in June.Alcaraz additionally beat Djokovic in in 2013's ultimate at the All of England Nightclub, yet Djokovic gained when they complied with in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the yearly clay-court event secured at Roland Garros, the internet site made use of for ping pong during the course of these Olympics.Sunday's competition was a fascinating competition, featuring one of the most effective to ever before do it in Djokovic, and the greatest presently in Alcaraz. Definitely, it can have been actually frustrating for Djokovic to locate himself once again around the internet from a younger, faster version of themself. Maybe that is actually why Djokovic regularly sought out and also gesticulated and murmured towards his visitor box.Still, he prevailed." Truthfully, when the last shot experienced him, past him, that was actually the only second I actually presumed I can easily win the match," Djokovic said.It required long substitutions full of exceptional ball-striking, deft drop gos-- Alcaraz's usually tended to become even more productive, at times so really good Djokovic declined to even provide pursuit-- and incredible sprinting, moving, stretching defense at both ends. They served thus effectively that not either acquired equalized once: Djokovic saved 8 break aspects, Alcaraz six.Most impressive, probably, was actually how cleanly both guys participated in, despite the ability of the opposition and also stress of the occasion.The just shame, maybe, for the supporters-- and normally, Alcaraz-- was that the Olympics utilizes a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Conquest tournaments. Create indisputable, this encounter between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic as well as No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a primary final.Those in the positions entered into the show, repeatedly breaking out into carolers of "No-le! No-le!" or "Car-los! Car-los!" that commonly overlapped, producing a sonant fugue. In the second collection, as Alcaraz tried to place a revival, his advocates started chanting, "Si, se puede!" (practically, "Yes, you can!") while drinking their red-and-yellow banners. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois periodically told individuals to stay noiseless during the action.Yet the place likewise came to be as quiet as a theatre between points, good enough to ensure play was delayed briefly when the air close anticipation was actually punctured by a kid's crying.Both guys participated in to the crowd. When Alcaraz raced to arrive at one decline go as well as down payment it over the net for a champion, he basked in the rowdy response by pointing his right index finger to his ear. When Djokovic tied a cross-court forehand champion on the go to cover a 10-shot indicate lead 3-2 in the 2nd sudden death, he waved both arms overhead to promote people that currently were standing up and screaming.The very first collection alone lasted much more than 1 1/2 hours, full of impressive tries and also epic games. One activity lasted 18 aspects topped greater than a loads mesmerizing minutes, including five break opportunities for Alcaraz, before Djokovic managed to hold for a 5-4 lead. In the sudden death, Djokovic was superior in do or die time, as he so often is actually, taking the last four points.At 3-all, Alcaraz supplied a physical body serve, yet Djokovic moved just sufficient to his left to smack a cross-court forehand gain victor. After two blunders through Alcaraz, Djokovic created a volley victor and relied on experience his family members with a fist held high.Another set, as well as yet another sudden death, later, and also Djokovic possessed that award that he yearned for, at long last.When the Serbian nationwide anthem ended up sounding out at Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic grabbed that gold as well as delivered it to his lips for an embrace.