Alcaraz rivalry similar to one with Nadal says Djokovic after winning three-set epic

For those who are missing constant, epic matches from the Big Three era, then good news: Alcaraz vs Djokovic may well be the new Nadal vs Djokovic.

After defeating Carlos Alcaraz in one of the all-time great Masters 1000 finals, Novak Djokovic has compared his rivalry with the Spaniard to the one shared with Rafael Nadal over the last 15 years.

The pair shared the court in the Cincinnati Masters final for almost four hours on Sunday night, in a match that see-sawed back and forth across three jaw-dropping sets. With Djokovic coming out on top 5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4), the Serb was quick to draw comparisons with some of his great matches against Nadal.

Spanish parallels run deep between Alcaraz and Nadal

Comparisons between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal have been made plenty of times over the past few years, but never has the similarity seemed so palpable.

Speaking in his trophy-acceptance speech, it was clear Djokovic could feel the similarities as well.

After congratulating Alcaraz on his run to the final, Djokovic jested, “Boy, you never give up, man!”

To which Alcaraz responded, “I’m Spanish, we never die!”

“Spanish never die? I’ve heard that before… Or I’ve experienced this before,” replied Djokovic. “Maybe not like this, or maybe yes. I don’t know, I really don’t know any more.”

Djokovic declares Cincinnati Masters final felt like Grand Slam

The Serbian was more direct in his comments to the media following the trophy ceremony, where he quickly alluded to his rivalry with Alcaraz becoming like the one he shared with Nadal.

“I don’t think I’ve played too many matches like this in my life,” Djokovic said. “Maybe I can compare it to Nadal finals in Australian Open 2012 that went the distance. Obviously three sets today, but almost four hours.”

“It did feel like a Grand Slam final, even more than that to be honest.”

Djokovic later went on to describe in more detail how it felt to be on the other side of the court to Alcaraz:

“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. You feel like you’re not going to get maybe in total five free points in the entire match.

“You’ve got to basically earn every single point, every single shot, regardless of the conditions.”

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Humble in defeat as always, Carlos Alcaraz was flattered to hear of Djokovic’s comparison.

“For me, obviously it’s great that he knows that every time he’s going to play against me, reminds him playing against Rafa,” said Alcaraz. “That means we are in a good path.”

“It’s great to hear that things from Novak, that he has played iconic matches, storied matches,” Alcaraz continued. “He said some matches against me was one of the toughest that he has played, it’s great. That means that my team and myself, we are doing great work.”

No doubt this won’t be the last we see of the Alcaraz vs Djokovic rivalry, with the pair on a crash-course for a meeting in the US Open final in three weeks’ time if current form holds.

“I’m hoping we can play in some weeks’ time in New York,” said Djokovic of their potential match up at the US Open.

“That would be nice… for the crowd. I don’t know about me.”

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