Novak
Djokovic commented on the upcoming match against
Carlos Alcaraz in the
Cincinnati Open final and highlighted that it will serve as preparation for the
US Open.
The Serbian
tennis player has showcased a high level of tennis this week in the ATP 1000,
reaching the final without dropping a set, including a significant victory in
the semifinals against Alexander Zverev (16th seed).
Following
his qualification for the final, the 23-time Grand Slam champion anticipated
the match against Carlos Alcaraz, with whom he has a 2-1 head-to-head advantage
in favor of the Spanish player.
Their only
previous encounter in a final was at Wimbledon a month ago, with Alcaraz
securing the victory, although 'Nole' emphasized the change in playing surface:
“Well, I
mean, I guess it's the ultimate challenge at the moment for me. We faced each
other in the last three events. Roland Garros, clay. Wimbledon, grass. Now hard
court. It's going to be the first encounter on a hard court,” he said.
“It's a
very good test prior to US Open. Obviously different conditions. Here
best-of-three, US Open best-of-five. It's still facing the top, top player of the
world now who is in form. It's the biggest challenge I could get, so I'm
looking forward to it. Now it's the best way to prepare for New York,” he
added.
Djokovic
and Alcaraz will play their fourth match on Sunday afternoon, local time. For
both, it will be their last match before the US Open, where the world No. 1
defends his crown, while Djokovic will compete once again in the fourth Grand
Slam of the year.
The Serbian
player did not participate in the 2022 tournament due to Covid restrictions and
claimed the title in 2011, 2015, and 2018.
He also boasts 6 finals appearances
in the tournament, with the most recent being in 2021 when he had the
opportunity to win the Calendar Grand Slam by securing all four major titles in
the same year: Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open. However,
he was defeated by Daniil Medvedev in that final.
