Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz treated fans across the globe to a gruelling battle Sunday in the Western & Southern Open final. Yet only one man could lift the trophy in Cincinnati. After nearly four hours of excitement, in which Djokovic saved a championship point, the Serbian collected his record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 title.
The instant classic even had the 23-time major champion Djokovic taken aback.
“It’s a crazy match that we’ve been through today. Roller coaster of a match,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference. “I don’t think I’ve played too many matches like this in my life.
“Maybe I can compare it to [against] Nadal at the 2012 Australian Open that went the distance. Obviously three sets today, but almost four hours. One of the most exciting and toughest mentally, emotionally, physically matches that I’ve ever had in my career.”
Djokovic and Alcaraz toiled for three hours, 49 minutes before the Serbian avenged his recent Wimbledon final loss to the Spaniard and levelled their Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 2-2.
Across their four contests, Djokovic and the World No. 1 have produced must-watch matches for any sports enthusiast, not just tennis fans. Still early in their budding rivalry, Djokovic expects many more clashes with the 20-year-old.
“You just have to put your hats down to a guy like that, who plays so maturely, handles the pressure so well for a 20-year-old,” Djokovic said. “We cannot forget how young he is. That’s something that is so impressive about him. The feeling that I have on the court reminds me a little bit when I was facing Nadal when we were at our prime of our careers. Each point is a hustle. Each point is a battle.
“Amazing to be able to experience that with him on the court. It just keeps getting better for the fans. For us, I don’t know if we are enjoying it so much. It’s definitely a challenge that we both need to embrace and accept because that’s what’s required from both of us in order to win big titles.”
With his 95th tour-level title, the 36-year-old Djokovic became the oldest Cincinnati champion in the Open Era. A pivotal moment came when Djokovic bounced back after being broken while serving for the match at 5-4 in the decider. The World No. 2 stayed focussed, finishing the longest best-of-three final in ATP Tour history (since 1990) in a third-set tie-break.
“I was tight, no doubt about it,” Djokovic said. “When you’re facing one of the best players in the world, one of the biggest tournaments in the world, of course you can’t always feel completely free in your mind to do whatever you want to do, right?
“You’re going to experience those kind of moments where you’re going to drop with the concentration, energy, whatever it is. You just have to try to work your way out from that situation. Overall an incredible match with some really highs and really lows.”
Djokovic’s fourth title of the season moves him to 38-5 on the year, having also won Adelaide 1, the Australian Open and Roland Garros. The Serbian will enter the US Open just 20 points behind Alcaraz in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.