"You make me be a better person" - Carlos Alcaraz & brother Alvaro fight back tears as Spaniard appreciates him after Cincinnati Open loss to Djokovic

Both Carlos Alcaraz and his brother Alvaro fought back tears after the former fell short against Novak Djokovic in the final of the 2023 Cincinnati Open.

Alcaraz and Djokovic locked horns in the Cincinnati final on Sunday, August 20 and played out a battle for the ages. Djokovic called it “one of the toughest matches" he'd ever played in his life as he edged the World No. 1 5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4) after a staggering three hours and 49 minutes of grueling tennis.

The Serb even found himself a championship point down in the second set tiebreak, which he saved with typically courageous tennis. And Alcaraz did not go out without a fight either as he saved championship points in the third set before finally accepting defeat.

This was the Spaniard's first-ever Masters 1000 final loss, after his four previous successes.

Alcaraz was reduced to tears after the match, and he struggled to maintain his composure during his runner-up speech. The 20-year-old, who was accompanied by his older brother Alvaro, welled up as he thanked his sibling for his consistent support.

Alvaro was also seen wiping off his tears when the World No. 1 said he was a better person thanks to his brother.

“I have my brother here as well. It’s great to have you here, supporting me every day. You make me be a better person every day. Learning from you as well. So, thank you. Thank you very much for being with me,” Alcaraz said.

Alcaraz also thanked his team, including coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, for helping him with the personal as well as professional parts of his life.

“I am grateful to have a team like I have. We are working really, really hard, you know, to stay in this stage. To play this kind of matches, these finals. It’s amazing to work with you. I want to say thank you. Thank you, not only in the professional part, but even in the personal part. You are a great example for me. I learn from you every day,” the two-time Grand Slam champion said.

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Novak Djokovic levels head-to-head vs Carlos Alcaraz with victory in Cincinnati Open final

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic at the 2023 Cincinnati Open

Carlos Alcaraz was denied his sixth title of the season by Novak Djokovic at the Cincinnati Open. The Serb himself lifted his fourth title of 2023; his previous triumphs came at the Adelaide International, the Australian Open and the French Open.

The latest Masters 1000 summit clash marked Djokovic and Alcaraz’s fourth meeting in their growing rivalry. Their first meeting, in the 2022 Madrid Open semifinal, went the Spaniard’s way, and Djokovic emerged victorious in their 2023 French Open semifinal match.

The Serb, who trailed 1-2 in head-to-head before the Cincinnati encounter, exacted revenge against the Alcaraz a month after the Spaniard stunned him in a five-setter on the Centre Court of Wimbledon. The duo are now tied in their rivalry - with two match wins each - heading into the US Open.