The intergenerational rivalry of Alcaraz vs. Djokovic is the gift that keeps giving. Tennis is a sport that has always blessed its fans with story-studded rivalries in every generation like Martina Navratilova-Chris Evert, Björn Borg-John McEnroe, Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal and now a rivalry that transcends generations, Alcaraz vs. Djokovic. Prior to the final in Cincinnati, many pundits place their money on Djokovic to exact revenge on the Spaniard for his Wimbledon loss due to the shaky form of Alcaraz. However, what transpired in this final was one of if not the best-of-three sets finals we have ever witnessed.
Novak Djokovic Rallies Back From Heatstroke to Lift the Trophy
The 4th meeting of Alcaraz vs. Djokovic started on the right foot for Djokovic as he led 4-2 in the opening set. However, the Spaniard showed tenacity beyond his age as he found his momentum and eventually took the first set 7-5 by winning 5 of the next 6 games. The match appeared to be in the Spaniard clutches when he broke in the third game of the second set, where Djokovic hit two double faults. However, this was the turning point where Djokovic showed his prowess in changing improbable odds to winning ones.
After being broken, Djokovic called for a medical timeout, where he had his pulse checked and took some medication. It is not a surprise to see the 36-year-old struggling under the horrid temperature of 33 degrees, but what is more surprising is that he seemed to find another gear and broke back. The second set eventually went to a tiebreak, where Djokovic dramatically saved a match point before taking the second set 7-6 (7). After the dramatic tiebreak, the young Spaniard decided to vent his frustrations by obliterating his racket on his seat.
As the match continued later, the heat subsided, and Djokovic gained the first real advantage in the deciding set by breaking serve. However, even the cold-headed Djokovic could not stop the fiery onslaught of Alcaraz as the Spaniard came from 5-3 down to force the match into a deciding tiebreak. After a deciding set littered with saved championship points, Djokovic finally secured the win in the tiebreak 7-6 (4) after 3 hours and 48 minutes of pulsating tennis. Elevation and tiredness occupied his body as Djokovic fell onto the ground in celebration.
🏆😃🙌💪🙏🫶 #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/hLkKfd2Ouz
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 21, 2023
Novak Djokovic: “Alcaraz Reminds Me of Prime Nadal.”
After a heartwarming exchange of mutual respect between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz during the trophy ceremony, the Serbian continued to shower praise on the Spaniard by labelling this Alcaraz vs. Djokovic match as similar to the 2012 Australian Open against Nadal. “I do not think I have played too many matches like this in my life,” Djokovic told reporters. “Maybe I can compare it to the final against Nadal at the 2012 Australian Open.
Following up with his comment from the Wimbledon final, where he praised Alcaraz as having the best of himself, Roger and Rafa, Djokovic claimed that today was like facing prime Nadal. “The feeling that I have on the court reminds me a bit of when I was facing Nadal when we were in our prime.”
Alcaraz humbly responded in his own press conference by stating: “It is great to hear those things from Novak, (Who) has played iconic matches, storied matches,” Alcaraz said. “That means the team and myself are doing great work and are on a good path.”
The Triple Career Golden Masters Is the Next Goal for Novak Djokovic
After securing his second win in the Alcaraz vs. Djokovic rivalry, the goal for Djokovic should not just be US Open but completing the triple Career Golden Masters. The Career Golden Master is an achievement solely designated to Djokovic as he has won all nine Masters 1000 events at least once.
Furthermore, Djokovic is the only player ever to have the privilege of challenging for the triple Career Golden Masters as no other player, including his Big Three rivals, Federer and Nadal, has ever completed a single Career Golden Masters, let alone a double and a triple. To put into perspective, Djokovic already holds the record for most career Masters 1000 titles with 39. Here is the list of Master 1000 titles he has won:
- Indian Wells (5): 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016
- Miami (6): 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016
- Monte Carlo (2): 2013, 2015
- Madrid (3): 2011, 2016, 2019
- Rome (6): 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2022
- Canada (4): 2007, 2011, 2012, 2016
- Cincinnati (3): 2018, 2020, 2023
- Shanghai (4): 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018
- Paris (6): 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021
Also Read: Second Grand Slam: Carlos Alcaraz Overcame Novak Djokovic in Five-Set Battle to Win Wimbledon 2023
Alcaraz vs. Djokovic Trilogy Awaits in the US Open Final
While their wholesomeness off the court may put smiles on your face, the Alcaraz vs. Djokovic rivalry on the court will keep you on the edge of your seat from point one. Fortunately for us, the US Open is just a week away.
If everything goes according to plan, the trilogy of Alcaraz vs. Djokovic will happen in the final, and we will all have front-row seats to this blockbuster. The Alcaraz vs. Djokovic head-to-head now stands as two a piece, and it is just fitting for them to settle the score in the final Grand Slam of the year. It is the final we and the two want. To the tennis gods watching, please bless us one last time this year. If you are also a tennis fans who loves football, we have an abundance of articles covering the sports as well. Simply click here and bookmark the page.
