Novak Djokovic: final with Carlos Alcaraz, but already thinking about US Open

A great challenge, with the head already pointing to the next goal.

Novak Djokovic is waiting for Carlos Alcaraz, but in the meantime he is already focused on the next chapter of his season. The two absolute stars of tennis will face each other in the final of the Cincinnati Masters 1000, with the Serb, however, admitting that he already has what comes next on his mind: the US Open.

“The challenge against Alcaraz I think is the most important one that can happen to me right now,” Djokovic said after his semifinal victory over Alexander Zverev. “I’ve played against him in each of the last three events I’ve taken part in, on clay at Roland Garros, on grass at Wimbledon, and now I’m going to do it in Cincinnati on the hard surface. And it will be my first time, so the test ahead of the US Open is great.”

And Djokovic continued in his comparison between the Cincinnati Masters 1000 and what he expects to find at the U.S. Open: “Obviously the conditions will be very different, since here we play best of three sets and there best of five. But in any case I will be up against the best player in the world, currently in great form. I couldn’t face bigger challenge, I’m looking forward to it. And this is the best possible way to prepare for New York.”