Exclusive: Cincinnati defeat to Novak Djokovic a ‘perfect lesson’ for Carlos Alcaraz ahead of US Open - Alex Corretja
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Published 24/08/2023 at 09:05 GMT
Alex Corretja believes Carlos Alcaraz's defeat to Novak Djokovic in the final of the Cincinnati Masters was the "perfect lesson" ahead of his US Open title defence. Alcaraz and Djokovic renewed their rivalry in the longest best-of-three sets final in ATP Tour history, but it was the Serb who saved a match point before sealing victory. Corretja backed Alcaraz to bounce back at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic defeat a 'perfect lesson' for Alcaraz ahead of US Open - Corretja
Eurosport tennis expert Alex Corretja believes Novak Djokovic’s thrilling Cincinnati Masters win was the “perfect lesson” for Carlos Alcaraz ahead of his US Open title defence.
World No. 1 Alcaraz saw a championship point come and go in the second set before eventually losing in a deciding tie-break as the pair set a new record for the longest best-of-three sets final in ATP Tour history at three hours and 49 minutes.
The exertion clearly took its toll on Alcaraz, who cut an emotional figure at the trophy presentation, but Corretja dismissed any suggestions the defeat proves Djokovic has a mental edge in their growing rivalry.
“I think as long as you give you 100 per cent, you always go 'tranquillo' (calm) out of the court,” Corretja said.
“You feel like, ‘Okay, I give everything I had and I know that I couldn't do anything more’.
“Of course, you can do something better at some points because if you go back and watch the match, you might feel like maybe that second set or whatever...but your mind and your soul and your conscious is quiet.
“It's relaxed because you felt like you gave everything you had.
"Maybe you could just [hit] different shots in different moments. But this is part of the game and part of the momentum where you need to choose.”
Corretja also pointed to how Alcaraz recovered from his disappointing semi-final loss to Djokovic at the French Open to conquer the Serb in their epic Wimbledon final as proof the 20-year-old has what it takes to bounce back at the US Open, which starts on August 28.
“I don't think it should affect him because for him it's a perfect final,” he added.
“It's a perfect lesson moment, he learned from RG [Roland Garros] semi-final and then he did unbelievable at Wimbledon.
“Now, this is another final with where he knows how to be there with Novak. So I don't think he should go thinking any bad feelings, especially [given] he's going into the tournament where he won last year.
“He already won another major, which may help him to understand that he can do it again."
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Corretja reveals what Alcaraz and Djokovic can learn from Cincinnati final
Alcaraz v Djokovic has quickly become the match everyone wants to see whenever they enter an event.
It’s the battle of old generation versus the new, and showcases different styles going toe-to-toe. The pair have only met four times and have each won twice, which includes a Grand Slam victory apiece.
The stage is set for another “big battle” at the US Open says Corretja, who insists both will know they need to be at their absolute best to come out on top should they square off under the bright lights of New York.
“I think every time they play they start knowing each other a little bit better,” Corretja continued.
“I think for both it's good. I think for Carlos because he's going to know how to deal in this important moment, which I think Novak he's been through many, many, many times before.
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Highlights: Djokovic wins Cincinnati title in another classic battle against Alcaraz
“They know that is going to be a big battle all the time. They know it’s going to be very important to take the chances they've got because if not, maybe in the future, they won't have those chances.
“And for Carlos, it's very important also to adjust of the game of Novak, because many times when he's aggressive, he dictates and maybe the other opponents, they cannot handle it. But against Novak, he knows he needs to go for one more shot because no-one can defend and can push the ball very deep into the court [like him].
“And for Novak also it’s knowing how Carlos’s forehand is coming, how he can run, how he can defend, but also how he can attack. I think that they're learning that is going to be huge.
“And it always is going to be tough if one of them doesn't play 100 per cent they will fail because if they play 99 per cent, it’s not going to be enough.”
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