A well-recognized story, however a groundbreaking one all the identical.
Novak Djokovic claimed a record-extending tenth Australian Open title Sunday in Melbourne, the place he rode the problem of Stefanos Tsitsipas to prevail 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) within the last of the hard-court Grand Slam. With his victory, the Serbian tied Rafael Nadal’s document of twenty-two Grand Slam crowns.
The historic achievement triggered an outpouring of emotion from Djokovic, who climbed into his participant field to share a tear-filled second together with his crew whereas celebrations additionally erupted among the many sea of Serbian flags in Melbourne Park’s Garden Square.
His evening. His courtroom. His trophy. His legacy.@DjokerNole • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/1tC4Foanm1
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
“This is without doubt one of the most difficult tournaments that I’ve ever performed in my life,” stated Djokovic, who was unable to compete in Melbourne in 2022 and arrived for this 12 months’s match nursing a left hamstring concern. “Not enjoying final 12 months, coming again this 12 months. I need to thank all of the individuals who made me really feel welcome. There is a cause why I’ve performed my finest tennis on this courtroom, in entrance of legendary Rod Laver.
“It is a protracted journey. All my crew and household is aware of what we have now been via prior to now 4 or 5 weeks and that is most likely the most important victory of my life.”
Before the ultimate, Tsitsipas’ highly effective serve had been touted as key to his title possibilities. Yet it was Djokovic who ended the match with a superior serving document, which included successful 82 per cent (54/66) of factors behind his first supply in comparison with 72 per cent (50/69) for the Greek. Djokovic additionally struck near half the unforced errors of Tsitsipas (22 to 42) en path to enhancing his match document for the season to 12-0.
The 35-year-old’s triumph additionally sealed his return to No. 1 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the primary time since final June. Djokovic will exchange Carlos Alcaraz in prime spot on Monday after notching his tenth tour-level victory in a row towards Tsitsipas, who would have claimed prime spot himself with victory in Sunday’s last.
Novak Djokovic lifts the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for a record-extending tenth time. Photo Credit: Martin Keep/AFP by way of Getty Images
Despite a lot driving on the match, Djokovic confidently assumed management early on Rod Laver Arena. Although the Greek raised his sport within the second and third units to make sure some absorbing rallies whipped up an intense ambiance within the crowd, the Serbian was medical at key moments to seal a two-hour, 56-minute victory and enhance his document in Australian Open finals to 10-0.
“Novak, I don’t know what to say. I feel it speaks for itself with what you could have achieved to this point,” stated Tsitsipas throughout the trophy ceremony. “It is all within the numbers, so congratulations. Not solely to your self however having such a supportive household. It has been such an unbelievable journey for you and I love what you could have carried out for our sport.
“[You] make me a greater participant when I’m on courtroom. Novak brings the very best out of me and these are the matches I’ve been working my complete life for. He is without doubt one of the best in our sport.”
Most Grand Slam Men’s Singles Titles (All-Time)
| Player | Grand Slam Titles |
| Novak Djokovic | 22 |
| Rafael Nadal | 22 |
| Roger Federer | 20 |
| Pete Sampras | 14 |
| Roy Emerson | 12 |
| Bjorn Borg | 11 |
| Rod Laver | 11 |
How The Match Played Out
It was the second assembly between Djokovic and Tsitsipas in a serious last. At Roland Garros in 2021, Djokovic rallied from two-sets-to-love right down to defeat the Greek and declare victory on the Paris clay, however he gave Tsitsipas few alternatives to ascertain an analogous lead on Sunday in Melbourne.
Despite Tsitsipas scoring an early morale-booster within the first set by saving two break factors from 15/40 to carry for 1-1, Djokovic’s usually constant and correct groundstrokes dominated the early levels. He incessantly piled strain onto the Tsitsipas backhand, and the Greek was unable to repeat the escape within the fourth sport, when Djokovic clinched the one break of the set.
Needing to vary the rhythm of the match, Tsitsipas’ booming serve and large forehand belatedly started to fireplace. On a number of events within the second set, the Greek reacted to successful essential factors by rousing his supporters within the crowd, and the third seed fed off the febrile ambiance to lift his degree on Rod Laver Arena.
Stefanos Tsitsipas fires a forehand throughout Sunday’s Australian Open last. Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Yet though Tsitsipas carved out the only real break level probability of the set (which doubled as a set level) at 4-5, 30/40, Djokovic discovered a technique to pull via. He arrowed a chic forehand winner to save lots of the set level and held his nerve once more to assert the tie-break regardless of having dropped three straight factors to give up a 4/1 lead.
Tsitsipas once more threatened a resurgence within the third set, claiming his solely break of the match within the opening sport. As he so typically has on the large stage all through his profession, nonetheless, Djokovic responded instantly. He broke again within the subsequent sport earlier than clinching a 3rd set dominated by serve — and his historic victory — with a commanding tie-break show.
Despite falling simply in need of changing into the primary Greek to win a Grand Slam title, Tsitsipas will return to his career-high of No. 3 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday after reaching his maiden last in Melbourne.
Source: www.atptour.com