Djokovic's priceless response to 'Wimbledon' question as he aims for revenge in Cincinnati Open final against Alcaraz

For tennis enthusiasts, the upcoming Cincinnati Open final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz is a must-watch event. This match will mark their third encounter this season and the fourth overall. The Wimbledon final last month left a lasting impression, with many drawing parallels to the iconic Pete Sampras-Roger Federer moment from 2001. In a thrilling five-setter on Centre Court, Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious, ending Djokovic's unbeaten streak at Wimbledon since 2013. It was seen as a symbolic passing of the torch in men's tennis, though Djokovic's loyal supporters argued against it. Now, the Serbian superstar has a chance to prove them right as he faces Alcaraz once again, this time in Cincinnati, with the title at stake.

Despite his heartbreaking loss at Wimbledon, Djokovic has staged an impressive comeback. Cincinnati marks his first tournament since that defeat and his return to US soil after two years. His path to the final was no cakewalk, facing a challenging draw. Nevertheless, Djokovic has stormed into the final without dropping a single set. In the semifinals, Alcaraz displayed remarkable resilience, surviving match points and mounting a comeback from a 1-4 deficit in the tie-break of the second set to defeat Hubert Hurkacz. Djokovic, on the other hand, defeated two-time ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev.

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Djokovic's remarkable response

After securing his spot in the final, Djokovic was asked about the upcoming match, with reference to the Wimbledon final. In the midst of Kings Island fireworks, the 36-year-old Djokovic responded with a smile during an on-court interview. He acknowledged the significance of the upcoming clash, stating, "It’s great. It’s amazing for the sport, No. 1 and No. 2 in the world facing each other again in the final of a big event. This is I guess what everybody wanted and expected in the beginning of the tournament, so here we are."

This contest will mark the third meeting between Alcaraz and Djokovic this season. Their encounters have been memorable, with Alcaraz losing to Djokovic in the French Open semifinals due to cramps but bouncing back to secure victory in the Wimbledon final a month later. In total, they have met three times on the ATP tour, with Alcaraz initially defeating Djokovic in the 2022 Madrid Open semis.

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Djokovic, who had initially downplayed the notion of a budding rivalry before their Wimbledon final clash, now acknowledges the shift. "It seems like it’s turning into a rivalry. I’m loving it," he remarked. As Djokovic aims for his third Cincinnati title and a record-extending 39th Masters 1000 trophy, he could also become the oldest winner in Ohio with a victory. Meanwhile, Alcaraz, who has retained his world No. 1 ranking by reaching the final, seeks his fifth ATP 1000 title and his third this year after triumphs in Indian Wells and the Madrid Open. In sum, the Cincinnati Open final promises a compelling showdown between tennis giants Djokovic and Alcaraz, with fans eagerly awaiting another thrilling chapter in their evolving rivalry.