In a mesmerizing clash that will echo in the top echelons of the sport, Novak Djokovic staged a remarkable comeback to avenge his Wimbledon finals defeat to Carlos Alcaraz. The stage was set at the Western & Southern Open final, a showdown that transformed into an epic three-set battle, pitting Djokovic against the reigning World No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz.
This enthralling contest stretched for an astounding 3 hours and 49 minutes, culminating in a 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) nail-biting victory for Djokovic. Both athletes exhibited breathtaking shot-making, relentless perseverance, and an unwavering quest for victory.
Novak Djokovic d. Carlos Alcaraz 5-7 7-6(7) 7-6
What on earth did we just watch.
Match point saved.
Longest best of 3 Masters final ever.
At age 36, struggling with the conditions… clawing his way through a match like this only adds to his gleaming legacy
✅39th Masters pic.twitter.com/7Bu6kZ1Hky
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 21, 2023
This encounter etched its place in history as the longest best-of-three final in ATP Tour history, standing as a testament to its sheer magnitude and intensity.
The pivotal moment of the match
At 36 years of age, Djokovic exemplified a compelling blend of unwavering grit and finesse, rallying from a set and a breakdown against the formidable Alcaraz. His focus came to the forefront as he saved a championship point at 5/6 down in the second-set tie-break, unleashing a lethal serve and forehand combo with surgical precision, a moment that captured the very essence of the match.
WHAT A MATCH!!!
Novak Djokovic comes back from 2-4 down in the 2nd set, saves a match point in the 1st tiebreak and beats #1 Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) in 3h50 to win Cincinnati for the 3rd time.
39th M1000 – his record.
95th singles title – only behind Connors &… pic.twitter.com/gyHiHOQ7sh— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 21, 2023
What did Djokovic say after the epic battle?
In the aftermath of this monumental battle, Djokovic who had grappled with heat stroke during the match and was almost ‘running on fumes’ as the commentators described him, tried to summarize his rollercoaster emotions. After his victory, he confessed his feelings and shared, “Crazy. Honestly…Definitely, one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played in my life.” Djokovic further compared the win akin to playing a Grand Slam.
By creating numerous records, Novak solidifies his GOAT status with the Cincinnati win
Djokovic’s triumph encompassed more than a personal redemption over his arch-rival, Alcaraz after his heart-wrenching Wimbledon loss to him. The victory further marked his ascent to the GOAT status after winning his 39th ATP Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati.
The stellar accomplishment underlined Djokovic’s maestro status across diverse tournaments and career wins. Apart from the beautiful victory, the tennis star’s celebration was even more special.
WHAT. A. VIDEO.
23 Majors, most weeks at #1, most Masters 1000s ever,
AND LOOK WHAT IT MEANS!
Djokovic, Novak, 36 years-old. pic.twitter.com/jDgZn1pRwH
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) August 21, 2023
The victory propelled Djokovic to his 95th career title, an exceptional feat that positions him as one of the third most prolific title winners in the Open Era, after Connors (109) and Federer (103). He achieved his 1069th career win, surpassing legends Ivan Lendl and Rafael Nadal in the annals of history.
Djokovic’s supremacy extends even further with his remarkable hold on the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. He stands as the only player to have emerged victorious in all nine of the prestigious events, winning each of them thrice, except Monte-Carlo, where he has triumphed twice. Moreover, he now stands three Masters 1000 titles ahead of Rafael Nadal (36), his closest rival in this category.
With a career that has been marked by unprecedented consistency, Djokovic has achieved an astonishing milestone in winning the ‘BIG’ titles, which includes the Grand Slams, Nitto ATP, Olympic, and, Masters 1000). He has now won 68 of them, nine titles ahead of closest rival, Rafael Nadal who is at 59.
Novak Djokovic also became the oldest Cincinnati champion in history at 36 years. Amidst the euphoria of the Cincinnati triumph, Djokovic’s victory has solidified his status as the greatest of all time. His unmatched determination, extraordinary skills, and unwavering mental fortitude, combined with has created a monumental spectacle and an era-defining milestone.
