Juan Carlos Ferrero's advice to Carlos Alcaraz during the Cincinnati Open final against Novak Djokovic has been revealed.

World No. 1 Alcaraz lost to 23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic in three sets at the Western & Southern Open final in Cincinnati, Ohio. The match lasted a grueling three hours and 49 minutes, making it the longest Best of Three match in ATP Masters 1000 history.

Alcaraz made a strong start, winning the first set 7-5. However, Djokovic fought back hard to win the next two sets, both of which went to a tiebreak, ending the match 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4).

During the match, Alcaraz's coach Ferrero tried hard to keep him in the game, and it appeared to be working at one point when the Spaniard broke Djokovic in the final set just as the 36-year-old was serving for the title.

This came after his coach reminded him that Alexander Zverev had broken Djokovic at the same point in their semi-final match.

"Zverev broke him with 5-4 the other day," he told the 20-year-old.

However, like with the German player the day before, Alcaraz was unable to fend off the Big Three member for long. Nevertheless, Ferrero kept pushing until the end.

Throughout the match, the 2003 French Open champion encouraged the top seed, telling him not to give up.

"Come on, vega, point by point. I know it's hard for you, but you have to go up with the serve. Don't give up, don't give up, come on. Hold on, hold on. Be very attentive to the climbs. The one before you fail because you make too much effort, loose, loose. Relax and continue.

"Stay firm, cheer up, cheer up. Long point now, you have to die there. It's time to be. These games have to go for them," he said.

Although these words did not succeed in helping Alcaraz get the title, they did mean that the Spaniard pushed Djokovic to the very end.