John McEnroe has said that he hopes to see a re-match between
Novak Djokovic and
Carlos Alcaraz at the upcoming
US Open following their awe-inspiring finals at
Wimbledon and Cincinnati.
23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic prevailed over world No. 1 Alcaraz in a three-hour-and-49-minute-long battle for the title at the
Cincinnati Open earlier this week.
The Spaniard made a strong start, winning the first set 7-5, but the experienced Serb fought back to clinch the victory 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4). This served as a re-match of the Wimbledon final last month, where Alcaraz defeated seven-time SW19 Djokovic to win his second Grand Slam title.
McEnroe: 'everyone' wants to see them play again
As the two top seeds prepare for the US Open, former world No. 1 McEnroe, a four-time champion at the major, has said that fans are more excited at the prospect of seeing Djokovic and Alcaraz play each other again than at a potential American breakthrough at the Slam.
The 64-year-old also said that Djokovic being barred from the US last year due to his unvaccinated status has made people more eager to see him play defending champion Alcaraz at Flushing Meadows this year.
"Even though in America you want to see an American break through, everyone is saying 'oh I want to see Alcaraz play Novak' because he wasn't allowed to play. That [the Cincinnati Open] was the first tournament in America he's played in two years in the States. The whole thing was crazy. It's a great story.
"To see the all-time great play against the young superstar is incredible. I'd love to see that match played again. The last couple of matches have all been close and incredible matches. Let's hope it lasts," he told media at the US Open.
McEnroe praises both men
The American continued his praise of Djokovic and Alcaraz, calling them both 'incredible.'
"What Alcaraz has done in the last year is unbelievable. He's put himself in a position where you talk about him in the same way as Novak and Rafa [Nadal] in a way which is incredible. The best player I've ever seen at his age. It's incredible how good he is already.
"Novak is incredible how good he still is. He looked amazing [in the Cincinnati final]. It was extremely hot and [he] was struggling with the heat. He somehow found a way. It's unbelievable that he is so good at this age. The way he looks, it looks like he can do it 3-4 more years the way he is going.
"It's hard to believe that anyone can do it as well he is doing even at this age. It's unprecedented," he said.