Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati final wows Andy Roddick, Stan Wawrinka, Victoria Azarenka, Patrick McEnroe

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Published 21/08/2023 at 10:30 GMT

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz wowed their fellow tennis players and former professionals with a classic encounter in the Cincinnati Open final. Djokovic saved a championship point as he won the longest best-of-three final in ATP Tour history to claim the 39th Masters title of his career. Andy Roddick, Jamie Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Victoria Azarenka were among those amazed by the match.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz served up a match for the ages in Cincinnati.

Just a month after Alcaraz overcame Djokovic in a thrilling Wimbledon final, Djokovic saved a championship point and came from a set and a break down to win the longest best-of-three final in ATP Tour history.

Djokovic, who has competed in 35 Grand Slam finals, described it as “one of the toughest and most exciting matches” he has ever played.

ATP Rome

Are Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic playing Italian Open? When does it start?

03/05/2024 at 10:50

It was a contest that wowed the tennis world.

“Crazy good level again,” wrote three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka on Twitter.

“Thank you Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz.”

Djokovic appeared to be struggling with the heat in the first two sets and Alcaraz had victory in his sight serving at 4-3 up in the second set.

But a loose game from Alcaraz allowed Djokovic to break and get back on serve.

Djokovic then saved a championship point in the second-set tie-break before levelling the contest.

The third set was a thriller that again went to a tie-break, and again it was Djokovic who came out on top to win the 39th Masters title of his career.

Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick said the match was “everything you would have wanted”.

• Djokovic beats Alcaraz in Cincinnati thriller
• Gauff claims first career WTA 1000 title

“That's one of the most physical, well-executed battles full of drama with a crowd that was absolutely just there for it,” said Roddick on Tennis Channel.

“There's no criticism on either side, maybe Alcaraz plays a loose game in the third set there, but that's bound to happen over four hours of tennis.

“It was just everything you would have wanted. We hype up a lot of match-ups and we get carried away sometimes. I don't know that the hype could have been overstated for this one.”

Roddick also praised Djokovic as an “absolute specimen” for his ability to go the distance after looking below his best physically early on.

Former doubles Grand Slam winner Chanda Rubin was alongside Roddick and said the match was “insane at moments”.

"How lucky are we that we get to witness this type of battle between an already all-time great and one that is probably going to become an all-time great in Carlos Alcaraz? Two hours before that match finished thought Novak Djokovic was done.

“He just looked like he didn't have enough left in the tank, but, in a true champion style, he kept fighting, battling long enough for him to feel a little bit better. And here we are with this type of battle and that type of tennis at the end. It was insane at moments."

Two-time men’s doubles Grand Slam champion Jamie Murray was struck by Djokovic’s longevity over the last decade.

Highlights: Djokovic wins Cincinnati title in another classic battle against Alcaraz

“What a match!! Comms said Novak has played 35 GS [Grand Slam] finals," wrote Murray on Twitter.

"That’s like nine consecutive years of playing every Slam final or three per year for 12yrs. Insanity.”

Another former doubles Grand Slam champion, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, said “thanks for the fireworks”, while former US Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe asked if it was the “best non-major final ever”.

Women’s world No. 24 Magda Linette was in no doubt about the quality, saying: “That was the best 1000 ATP final I have ever watched.”

Former women’s world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka was left in awe of both players.

“What a battle, Novak Djokovic so so strong! Carlos Alcaraz is awesome and so fun to watch! Great final!”

It was the fourth career meeting between Djokovic and Alcaraz, with the head-to-head record now level at 2-2.

“WOW. Amazing match! Congrats to both Champions," wrote former world No. 12 Sabine Lisicki on Twitter.

Djokovic and Alcaraz could meet in another final at the US Open, which starts on August 28.

Alcaraz will be the top seed and defending champion at the Grand Slam, while Djokovic will be aiming for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

- - -

Stream and watch the 2023 Laver Cup exclusively live across Europe on Eurosport and discovery+

ATP Madrid

Rublev stuns Alcaraz in huge Madrid Open upset after thrilling fightback, Fritz progresses

01/05/2024 at 22:56

ATP Madrid

'I kept fighting' - Alcaraz survives Struff scare to make quarter-finals, Sinner progresses

30/04/2024 at 20:11

ATP Madrid

Alcaraz braced for 'difficult' Struff rematch after reaching last 16 in Madrid

29/04/2024 at 07:36