“One of the most difficult matches of my career” – Djokovic on coming back from the brink

His post-match reactions said everything. After match point, Novak Djokovic threw himself to the ground as he usually does after a Grand Slam victory.

Two to three minutes later, the Serb tore open his shirt in wild celebration, letting out all the emotion that had built throughout an incredible three hour and 49 minute battle against Carlos Alcaraz.

This trophy won in Cincinnati, the 39th Masters title and the 95th overall of his career, is not a Grand Slam. But given his reactions, it would not be surprising if the 36-year-old placed this win very high in the pecking order of all his great achievements.

In the winner’s press conference, the world No 2 even compared it to one of his greatest Grand Slam fights.

“It’s a crazy match that we experienced today. A rollercoaster match, to be honest. I don’t think I’ve played many matches like that in my life.

“Maybe I can compare it to Nadal’s final at the 2012 Australian Open. Obviously, today there were three sets, but it lasted almost four hours,” Djokovic said.

At the time, the Serb won his fifth Grand Slam title after a battle of five hours and 53 minutes across five extraordinary sets.

This year, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz undoubtedly wrote one of the most beautiful pages of their budding rivalry. One of the hardest to complete for Goran Ivanisevic’s protégé.

Too tough to die 💪

The moment @DjokerNole locked up his record 39th Masters title in THE MOST DRAMATIC fashion, 5-7 7-6 7-6 over Carlos Alcaraz #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/B7GGCPfjDX

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 21, 2023

“It was really everybody’s game,” continued Djokovic.

“In the third set, I had a lot of chances, maybe even a double break. The match ball at 5-3 was amazing (smiling).

“It was kind of the showcase of the whole game, this match ball saved by him. It’s one of the most exciting and difficult matches mentally, emotionally and physically I’ve had in my career.”

Djokovic effusive in Alcaraz praise

After the final at Wimbledon, won by Carlos Alcaraz, the Serb was keen to take revenge. The champion we know he is, it is safe to assume he desperately wanted to avenge that loss in SW19 with the title in Cincinnati.

But more than anything, he relished the challenge offered to him by his opponent.

“It’s so impressive. I mean, in the important moments, he was brave. You can only take your hat off to a guy like him, who plays with such maturity, who handles the pressure so well for a 20-year-old. We must not forget his young age. It’s something impressive about him,” the Belgrade native said.

“The feeling I have on court reminds me a bit of the time when I faced Nadal, when we were at the peak of our career. Every point is an effort. Every point is a battle.

“You feel like you may not get five free points in total over the entire game. You have to deserve every point, every shot, whatever the conditions,” Djokovic explained.

“It’s amazing to be able to experience that with him on the pitch. All the games we played against each other lasted a long time. The first match in Madrid last year, 7-6 in the third. 7-6 in the third game today. The two Grand Slam matches too.

“For the fans, it’s getting better and better. It’s certainly a challenge that we both have to take up and accept, because that’s what is asked of both of us,” concluded Djokovic, who has found his new rival.

It’s hard to say how many more times the two players will face each other, but the tennis world is hoping that the fifth chapter of their rivalry will be played at Flushing Meadows in what would be a first Grand Slam meeting on hard courts.

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