Novak Djokovic overcame the summer heat and heat stroke to get revenge on Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7-4) and return to his throne in Cincinnati on Sunday.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion and now 39 Masters titles took three hours and 49 minutes to… avenge his loss to the 20-year-old no.1 Spaniard in the Wimbledon final last month.
The 36-year-old Serb visited the doctor early in the second set after experiencing severe discomfort but played on to win the marathon and claim his third Cincinnati title.
Djokovic was a set and break behind, just as he seemed to be collapsing from the heat, saved a championship point in the 2nd set tie-break and celebrated a huge win over the 20-year-old Spaniard, who saved 4 championship points in the 3rd set but buckled in the 5th.
“Crazy. Honestly, I don’t know what else I can say. It’s hard to describe. Definitely one of the hardest matches I’ve ever played in my life, regardless of tournament, division, level or player. It’s unbelievable,” Djokovic said after the match.
NOLE!!! NOLE!!! The MASTER of Masters gets his 🏆@DjokerNole #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/mvRrEjifgO
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 21, 2023
With the win, the 36-year-old Serb became the oldest Cincinnati champion in the Open Era, surpassing Ken Rosewall who was 35 when he won in 1970.
Carlos Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic.
One of the best sets you’ll EVER see.Enjoy…#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/YGKYUhRm1s
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 21, 2023
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