Serena Williams' ex-coach issues honest take on Novak Djokovic epic Cincinnati win

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• Novak Djokovic

Serena Williams' childhood coach Rick Macci thinks Novak Djokovic's epic Cincinnati Masters final win over Carlos Alcaraz is just the latest example of why the Serb is "the greatest male player to hold the stick." On Sunday, Djokovic and Alcaraz delivered one of the most epic and brutal Masters finals ever.

After three hours and 49 minutes, Djokovic saved a match point and recovered from a set and a break down to beat Alcaraz 5-7 7-6 (7) 7-6 (4) in what was the longest-ever ATP final. At one point, Alcaraz had a 7-5 4-2 lead but Djokovic wasn't interested in quitting.

"@DjokerNole showed the world another reason why he the greatest male player to hold the stick. At the end of the day Novak GOATOVIC found a way," Macci wrote.

@DjokerNole showed the world another reason why he the greatest male player to hold the stick.

At the end of the day Novak GOATOVIC found a way. — Rick Macci (@RickMacci) August 21, 2023

Macci praises Djokovic's performance in an epic win over Alcaraz

In the first set, Djokovic had a 4-2 lead and was close to winning the first set.

But then, Djokovic collapsed as he lost the first set and also got broken early in the second set. But Djokovic was able to get the break back and force a second-set tie-break, in which he saved a match point en route to forcing a decider.

In the third set, Djokovic had a 5-3 lead but then missed out on four match points over the next two games. But Djokovic was able to keep his focus and convert his fifth match point in the third-set tie-break to complete a big comeback win.

“I was tight, no doubt about it. When you're facing one of the best players in the world, one of the biggest tournaments in the world, of course you can't always feel completely free in your mind to do whatever you want to do, right? You're going to experience those kind of moments where you're going to drop with the concentration, energy, whatever it is.

You just have to try to work your way out from that situation. Overall an incredible match with some really highs and really lows," Djokovic said after beating Alcaraz.