Carlos Alcaraz breaks down in tears after Novak Djokovic gets Wimbledon revenge

21 August 2023 , 09:34

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Carlos Alcaraz broke down in tears following his defeat to Novak Djokovic (Image: Getty Images)

It might not have been a Grand Slam event but the pain of losing at the Cincinnati Open was clear to see for a tearful Carlos Alcaraz.

In the latest chapter of his growing rivalry with Novak Djokovic, the Spaniard went down in an epic three-set clash which lasted nearly two hours. The pair were going head-to-head for the first time since their incredible Wimbledon final last month, which the 20-year-old came through in five sets.

And it seemed the world No.1 was well placed to again topple the Serb, taking the first set 7-5 and then going a break up in the second. But Djokovic showcased all of his iconic fighting qualities to battle back, saving a Championship point before levelling the match via a tie-break.

In the decider it was the turn of Alcaraz to dig deep, saving four Championship points himself before 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic prevailed in another tie-break. And the agonising defeat clearly got to the Spaniard, who reacted by returning to his bench and crying into his towel.

In his speech during the presentations, Alcaraz again struggled to contain his emotions as he paid tribute to his opponent. "It’s going to be tough for me to talk right now but I’ll try to do my best," he said. "First of all, I want to congratulate Novak once again.

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"It’s amazing sharing the court with you, playing 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."

And the choked-up star also paid tribute to his support team and his brother, who travelled with him to the US. Djokovic meanwhile, labelled the match one of the toughest of the 1,280 clashes he's endured in his storybook career.

Novak Djokovic poses with the trophy after defeating Carlos Alcaraz (Getty Images)

"Crazy," was his immediate summary. "Honestly, I don’t know what else I can say to describe definitely one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played in my life regardless of what tournament, what category, what player.

"From the beginning till the end we’ve both been through so much, so many ups and downs, highs and lows, heatstrokes coming back, overall one of the toughest and most exciting matches I was ever part of, these are moments in matches I continue to work for. I was never in doubt I could deliver the A game when it mattered the most."

The clash has served as a mouth-watering prelude to this month's US Open, which Alcaraz won in 2022 to signify his maiden Slam success. Djokovic, 36, will return to Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2021, having been absent for two years amid his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Fraser Watson