WATCH: Relive moment that Novak Djokovic described as ‘showcase’ of epic Cincy final against Carlos Alcaraz
The 2023 Cincinnati Open final had it all as the top two players slugged it out for in a modern-day classic and Novak Djokovic believes one particular moment summed up the match with Carlos Alcaraz.
Just weeks on from their brilliant Wimbledon final, Djokovic and Alcaraz battled it out for nearly four hours in the ATP Masters 1000 final in Ohio and it was the 23-time Grand Slam winner who emerged victorious this time after the pair went toe-to-toe for nearly four hours.
The scoreline of 5-7, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-4) was every bit as tight as the brilliant action on court as the pendulum swing back and forth multiple time during the match.
The Serbian, who also got the better of Alcaraz in the semi-final of Roland Garros before losing the Wimbledon final in five sets, described it as one of the “toughest mentally, emotionally, physically” matches of his career and he feels one particular moment in the third set encapsulated the encounter.
“I started off better, but then just struggled a lot physically on the court. He used that [as] he was a set and a break [up],” the world No 2 said.
“He played a poor game to give me the opportunity to break [in the second set] and I was quite solid that game and I thought ‘okay, maybe I have a chance’. Then I fought and it was really anybody’s game.
“The third set had many chances, maybe even for a double break. The match point at 5-3 was unbelievable. It was kind of a showcase of what this whole match was about [particularly] that match point saved from him.
“Just one of the most exciting and toughest mentally, emotionally, physically that I have ever had in my career.”
Djokovic had another couple of match points in the 10th game of the deciding set, but Alcaraz also saved them as he broke back to take the match to a tie-breaker.
Djokovic had the edge after an early mini-break, but Alcaraz again got back on terms only for the Serbian to break again in game nine and this time he made no mistake as he secured the victory on his fifth match point.
“It doesn’t surprise me anymore, it maybe surprised me end of last year or the beginning of this year with what he was doing and the way he won big matches, big tournaments so impressive,” the 36-year-old said.
“Coming out in important moments, going for it. Brave. You just have to put your hats down to a guy like that. He plays so maturely, handles the pressure so well for a 20-year-old.
“We cannot forget how young he is. That’s something that is so impressive about him.”
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic pays Carlos Alcaraz the ultimate tribute after epic Cincinnati final
