Novak Djokovic (center) gold medalist, Carlos Alcaraz (left) silver medalist, and Italian bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti pose on the podium at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Sunday. AP

For all of his Grand Slam championships and other titles, for all of his time at No. 1, Novak Djokovic really, really wanted an Olympic gold medal for Serbia, the last significant accomplishment missing from his glittering resume.

He finally got one at age 37. Doesn't matter a bit how long it took. Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling and evenly matched men’s tennis singles final at the 2024 Games on Sunday.

"I put my heart, my soul, my body, my family - my everything - on the line to win Olympic gold,” Djokovic said. "Incredible battle. Incredible fight.”

His impressive career already featured a men's-record 24 Grand Slam trophies and the most weeks spent atop in the rankings by any man or woman. It also already contained a Summer Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was a bronze - and he made it clear that simply wasn't sufficient.

Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 in that round at the Games. He lost to the eventual gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.

Before facing Musetti, Djokovic said, "I was like, ‘OK, let’s get through this one.' That's why today, before the match, I did not feel as nervous as I would normally feel, because I had secured a medal.”

In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the right knee that required surgery for a torn meniscus two months ago, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second round and eliminated his longtime rival in straight sets. Now Djokovic is the oldest man to win the singles gold in his sport since 1908 - and prevented Spain's Alcaraz, who is 21, from becoming the youngest.

When the victory was his, when the gold was his, thanks to one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned toward his team in the stands - sitting in front of his wife and their two children - dropped his racket and knelt on the clay.

As emotional as ever, he cried and covered his face, then rose and grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag.

After hugs in the stands, Djokovic waved that flag.

"In the tough moments, he gave it an extra push," silver medalist Alcaraz said through his own tears. "It hurts to lose like this.”

The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 minutes despite being decided in only two sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to follow up his French Open title in June.

Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in last year’s final at the All England Club, but Djokovic won when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the site used for tennis during these Olympics.

Sunday’s contest was an enthralling matchup, featuring one of the best to ever do it in Djokovic, and the best at the moment in Alcaraz.

Indeed, could have been frustrating for Djokovic to find himself once again across the net from a younger, speedier version of himself. Maybe that’s why Djokovic frequently looked up and gesticulated and muttered toward his guest box.

Still, he came out on top.

"Honestly, when the last shot went through him, past him, that was the only moment I actually thought I can win the match," Djokovic said.

It required long exchanges filled with superb ball-striking, deft drop shots - Alcaraz’s tended to be more successful, sometimes so good Djokovic declined to even give chase - and tremendous sprinting, sliding, stretching defense at both ends. They served so well that neither got broken even once: Djokovic saved eight break points, Alcaraz six.

Associated Press