"Face was red, I thought he would retire" - Eugenie Bouchard stunned by Novak Djokovic's 'unbelievable' comeback in Cincinnati final vs Alcaraz

Eugenie Bouchard was left stunned as Novak Djokovic staged a comeback win against Carlos Alcaraz in the 2023 Cincinnati Open final.

Alcaraz and Djokovic locked horns in the summit clash of the Cincinnati Open on Sunday, August 20. The demanding three-setter concluded with the Serb winning his third title at the event and the scoreline reading 5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-5 (4).

Novak Djokovic’s chances of winning the title were hanging by a thread in the second set when Carlos Alcaraz had a championship point at 6-5 in the tiebreaker. But the Serb saved it with some typically courageous tennis before clinching the set 7-6(7).

In the deciding set, Djokovic was finally able to outlast the World No. 1, again in a tiebreak, but only on his fifth championship point.

Eugenie Bouchard was surprised by the result as she recalled Novak Djokovic looking worse for wear in the second set itself. She lauded the veteran for his tenacious display.

“I can’t believe he came back to win. He didn’t look too good in the 2nd, face was red, I thought he would retire. This is truly unbelievable. Pushed himself to human limits in sports,” the Canadian wrote on her Instagram stories.

Eugenie Bouchard on Instagram

This isn’t the first time that Eugenie Bouchard has lavished high praise on the 36-year-old. Following his 23rd Grand Slam win at the French Open earlier this year, Bouchard, a self-proclaimed Roger Federer fan, called Djokovic the “undisputed GOAT.”

“I’m the biggest Roger fan but we all have to admit Novak is the undisputed goat. Insanely impressive,” she had said in a tweet.

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"I was never in doubt that I could deliver the A-game" – Novak Djokovic after victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the 2023 Cincinnati Open final

Carlos Alcaraz and Nvak Djokovic at the 2023 Cincinnati Open

In his on-court interview after the Cincinnati Open title win, Novak Djokovic admitted that the match was ‘one of the toughest’ he ever had to play in his life.

The three-setter lasted three hours and 49 minutes and was the longest match in the tournament history, as well as the longest ever best-of-three-sets Masters 1000 final.

“I don’t know what else I can say. Tough to describe. Definitely one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played in my life – regardless of what tournament, what category, what level, what player. I mean it’s unbelievable -- from the beginning till the end,” the Serb said.

The players competed in extreme conditions, amid high summer temperatures. The World no. 2 acknowledged Carlos Alcaraz’s ceaseless effort despite the unfavorable weather.

"We’ve both been through so much; so many ups and downs, highs and lows, incredible points, poor games. You know, heat strokes!” the 36-year-old said. “Coming back – overall one of the toughest and most exciting matches I was ever part of. These are the kind of moments and matches that I continue to work for, day in, day out.”

He added, however, that the difficulties he faced did not lower his self-confidence as he kept believing in his abilities.

“I was never in doubt that I could deliver the A-game when it mattered the most, and I’m just thrilled,” the World No. 2 said.

The Serb has now won four titles this season, and 95 in his career overall. The Cincinnati Open also marked his 39th Masters 1000 triumph.

Interestingly, while the 2023 women's champion Coco Gauff became the youngest player to win the title in Cincinnati, Novak Djokovic became the oldest champion in the tournament's history.