That Carlos Alcaraz and his generation comrades will dominate the next decade of tennis is a fact. And that Novak Djokovic (37), winner of 23 Grand Slams and 39 Masters 1000, will fight to the last blow to leave the legacy of the Big 3 at the top is just as, or even more, certain. The best of what was seen this Sunday in the finals in Cincinnati, where the battle for supremacy in world tennis was once again put to the test. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz faced each other after the Wimbledon final. This time the Serb was lucky (5-7, 7-6).[7]7-6[4]), but not before cramming into one of the toughest games of his life: “I don’t think I’ve played too many games like this in my career. It was one of the most emotional, mentally and physically challenging and exciting experiences I have ever experienced. “It was a roller coaster ride,” admitted the Belgrade native. With a win on his return to the US Open, it would be worth snatching the number one from Murcia, who cried heartbroken at the end of the game: “I don’t know why I cried because I fought until the end of the ball .”
The Cincinnati final left several conclusions and the clearest one was that Novak Djokovic never gives up. After victories in Melbourne and Paris, he overcame defeat in London and was posted to the United States after an absence of more than two years due to restrictions on those not vaccinated with COVID-19. In just one week of competition, the Serb showed he is unfamiliar with successions and upholds the mystique of the sport’s great legends.
If the Balkans continue to dominate the tennis scene for anything, it’s for knowing how to bounce back when all is lost. The bird life on Sunday, caused by the intense heat in Ohio and the intensity of Alcaraz’ game, made him dizzy with defeat. He woke up from the dizzy spell, he rediscovered his game and as soon as he was named champion, he ripped his jersey and reminisced about another of his most epic games. “Maybe I can compare it to the final against Nadal at the Australian Open 2012,” he referred to the episode in Antipodes in which he defeated the Spaniard after almost six hours and both featured in the longest-running final in history.
After his struggles against Federer and Nadal came Alcaraz
The retirement of Roger Federer and the impending demise of Nadal, who is looking to leave the slopes in 2024, has left Novak without a worthy rival to compete against and play off the innate competitiveness he has against put pressure on the Swiss and the Spanish : the glorious Big 3. Until a boy from El Palmar entered the scene, who went to the circuit to have fun and who, between smiles and noise, showed the way to a new era.
“The feeling I have on the track reminds me a bit of the game against Nadal when we were in the best moment of our career,” says the man from Belgrade, who in turn explains what it means to fight against Carlitos : “Every point.” is a fight. You have to win every point, every shot, regardless of the conditions.” The one from El Palmar, who had finally found his tennis and his essence, took the Serb’s glove: “Of course, for me it’s great that he knows it reminding him to play against Rafa or against him every time he plays against me.” The best because it means we are on the right track. It’s great to hear things like this from Novak, who has played in iconic and historic games. That means my team and I are doing a great job, we are on the right track.”
The Murcian arrived in the United States aiming to maintain the line shown on the clay and grass tour, but he hasn’t been able to find his game on the surface where he has won some of his best trophies (US Open and Miami Masters in 2022 , and Indian Wells champion that year). He suffered during his stay in Toronto, was eliminated by Tommy Paul, he had a rollercoaster ride in all his games in Cincinnati and he let off steam after missing the final forehand in the final: “I almost had one of the greatest of all time beaten.” in our sport. I’m working very well, but today it was difficult to cope with everything that Novak has been pushing.
A week from now, the still number one starts his defense of Flushing Meadows with no wild card and with the question of whether the inspired and dominating Carlitos will emerge or whether his more erratic version shown in those two previous tournaments will emerge. For Djokovic, the Serb returns to New York in search of his 24th Grand Slam and equals Margaret Court as the most successful tennis player of all time. Fans take a seat in front of a US Open that promises entertainment and strong emotions. The generation duel continues to burn.
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