Novak Djokovic says ‘This is what everybody wanted’ of clash with Carlos Alcaraz

James Richardson 20 Aug 2023 8:46 AM

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic during a match

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic after the 2023 Wimbedon final

World No 2 Novak Djokovic was happy to do his bit in setting up a blockbuster Cincinnati Masters final.

Djokovic will face off with world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the championship match in their third meeting in a final this term.

Many believe that Alcaraz’s win over Djokovic at Wimbledon was a passing of the torch moment, but few in the Nolefam share that viewpoint and we could be in for another almighty coming together.

Djokovic can close the gap to No 1 Alcaraz with a title win but cannot usurp the top spot this week, which means that the Spaniard will be the top seed at a Slam for the third time this year (It would be four if he hadn’t pulled out of the Australian Open).

The Serbian assessed that this was the final everyone wanted, although he stopped short of declaring his desire to face Alcaraz again.

“It’s great. It’s amazing for the sport, No. 1 and No. 2 in the world facing each other again in the final of a big event,” Djokovic said after besting Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.

“This is I guess what everybody wanted and expected in the beginning of the tournament, so here we are.”

Alcaraz has spent more than double the amount of time on court this week than Djokovic, racking up an incredible 10 hours and 40 minutes out on the Lindner Family Tennis Centre.

Meanwhile, Djokovic has eased into the final in just under five hours in total, helped by a one set opener when Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired after looking so far off the pace that his team encouraged him to cut his losses and pull out.

However, his time on court deficit isn’t all down to lucky breaks as he also made quick work of blowing past Gael Monfils and home hope Taylor Fritz.

Djokovic took longer to get beyond Zverev but has still not dropped a set this week on his return to the United States.

Alcaraz though has played four three-setters even if he insists that he is feeling good and recovering well and doesn’t expect to feel the effects of his week when he meets Djokovic for the Cincy title.

He contended that physically he feels as though he is getting ready to play his first match of the tournament.

“I feel good,” Alcaraz said after battling beyond Hubert Hurkacz.

“Probably the people can think that I’m going to be tired in the final, but I feel good.

“It doesn’t matter if I play in third sets, long matches. I’m recovering really, really well with my physio, with my team. I feel like I’m going to play the first match of the tournament. I feel great.”

Djokovic is chasing his 39th Masters title which would extend his record of the most title wins at the ATP 1000 level, while Alcaraz is only playing in his 18th Masters event.

The clash between No 1 and No 2 is unsurprisingly a tough one to call with Alcaraz now leading their head-to-head at 2-1.

Djokovic and Alcaraz will resume that rivalry from 21:30 (BST) when the Masters final gets underway on Sunday.