Carlos Alcaraz, the current world number one in tennis, acknowledged the value of playing against a legend like Novak Djokovic. After an exhilarating showdown in the Cincinnati Open final, which extended nearly four hours, Djokovic managed to clinch a victory over Alcaraz with scores of 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4).
Reflecting on the thrilling contest, Alcaraz expressed his admiration for Djokovic, stating, "It's amazing playing against you, sharing the court with you, learning from you. This match was really close, but I learned a lot from a champion like you. So congratulations to you and your team."
This gripping encounter marked the third final of the season where the two tennis maestros went head-to-head. While Djokovic emerged victorious during the French Open and the recent Cincinnati clash, Alcaraz had previously secured the coveted 2023 Wimbledon title.
Alcaraz also addressed comparisons being made about him possessing attributes of tennis's illustrious "Big Three" - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic. In response, he emphasized his own distinctive playing style, asserting, "It's great someone like Novak says these things about you. Someone who played against the best Nadal, against the best Federer, and says I have some things about them. It's great for me. But I don't totally agree because I always say I'm full Carlos Alcaraz. I didn't adopt styles like Rafa, Roger, or Novak. I just try to follow my own path, try to create Carlos Alcaraz. I believe that I don't have characteristics of anyone but Carlos Alcaraz."
Meanwhile, Djokovic's triumph in Cincinnati symbolizes his successful comeback to U.S. competitions following a two-year absence, a decision stemming from his choice to forgo the Covid-19 vaccination. With the U.S. Open just around the corner, set to run from August 28 to September 10, all eyes will be on Djokovic as he aspires to match Margaret Court's record by securing his 24th Grand Slam title, reinforcing his place among the pantheon of tennis greats.
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