Novak Djokovic battled Carlos Alcaraz in a titanic tussle for the Cincinnati Open title, emerging victorious after toiling for nearly four hours. It was not all smooth flowing, however. Djokovic was visibly struggling under the heat of the afternoon sun. Taking long breaks and even having the medics attend to him, it looked like the Serb might throw in the towel at one point. He, however, recovered and fought back to win his third Cincinnati Masters title.
Djokovic’s struggles with the heat were visible in the second set. He looked weary and had to be attended to by his trainer and a doctor. The Serb’s performance dipped in the hot conditions, raising fears that this match may turn out like the 2023 French Open clash between these two. Only back then, it was Alcaraz who cramped up and ultimately surrendered meekly. But this time, the Serb recovered and rallied to go all the way.
Still a lot to learn from Novak Djokovic
The Cincinnati final started at 4:30 p.m. in hot and humid weather. Djokovic started well, securing a 4-2 lead in the first set. Alcaraz, however, bounced back to win it 7-5. It was after the first set that the problems started for Djokovic. The World No.2 took a seven-minute long break and returned with a change of clothes. He soon went down agonized by the heat and was visited by the medics and his trainer. The Serb looked down and out in the second set as Alcaraz raced to a 4-2 lead. The Spaniard seemed to be heading for a straightforward victory as Djokovic did not look like he would put up a fight.
Djokovic bounced back, showing why he is one of the greatest in the game. He took the set into the tiebreaker as the top two seeds went toe-to-toe. The 23-time Grand Slam winner saved a Championship point in the tiebreak, going on to win Set 2. He then took another long break, returning in a fresh set of clothes once again. The weather had started to cool down a bit, and it showed in Djokovic’s performance. He was up and running in the third set, fighting for every point.
Towards the end, Alcaraz began to cramp up in his hands and could not put up a fight in the third set tiebreak, losing 7-4. This was reminiscent of the 2023 French Open semi-final clash between the two, where Alcaraz suffered cramps after two hard-fought sets. With the match at one set each, the Spaniard meekly surrendered and lost the next two sets 6-1, 6-1.
With two decades of pro experience, Djokovic knew exactly how to go about playing in hot conditions. He took well-spaced breaks and hung around long enough for the temperatures to drop a bit and the sun to go down. Once the weather was more comfortable, there was no looking back for Nole.
Alcaraz reminds Djokovic of Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic did not forget to recognize the monumental effort put in by Alcaraz. He said that the 20-year-old reminds him of Rafael Nadal and their rivalry at its peak. The Serb added that this match in Cincinnati was like his 2012 Australian Open final against Nadal, which lasted nearly six hours. He admitted that this match was one of the most mentally, emotionally, and physically difficult matches he has played.
A comparison with Nadal from someone who has faced him in his prime is very high praise for Alcaraz. The young star is developing an intriguing rivalry with Djokovic, and will look to get his revenge if they cross paths at the 2023 US Open next week.
