Novak Djokovic has played for the tenth time at the Australian Open triumphs. The Serbian tennis pro smoothly won the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas and set a record with his “probably biggest win”.
Djokovic defeated the Greeks 6: 3, 7: 6 and 7: 6 after almost three hours of play on Sunday (01/29/2023).
Overall, it was the 22nd singles title for Djokovic at one Grand Slam-Competition. Djokovic thus equaled the record set by Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who retired early in Melbourne due to injury.
“You are the greatest person who has ever had a tennis racket in your hand. You pushed me too”Tsitsipas praised his opponent.
“This tournament was one of the biggest challenges of my life considering the circumstances. Not being here last year, coming back now”said Djokovic, “It’s probably my biggest win.”
Djokovic in the final against Tsitsipas
Impeccable record in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic, who missed the Australian Open in 2022 after days of wrangling over his refused corona vaccination, was in the final in Melbourne for the tenth time and therefore has an impeccable record.
| player | title | Melbourne | Paris | Wimbledon | new York |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rafael Nadal | 22 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 4 |
Novak Djokovic | 22 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 3 |
Roger Federer | 20 | 6 | 1 | 8th | 5 |
Pete Sampras | 14 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 5 |
Roy Emerson | 12 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
With the success, Djokovic replaces the absent Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz as number one in the world rankings. The 35-year-old starts his 374th week as the nominally best tennis player in the world on Monday – and there are many indications of a new long era.
obstacles
One day after Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka’s first Grand Slam triumph under a neutral flag, Djokovic demonstrated his exceptional position among men. Although Djokovic only gave up one set throughout the tournament, his path to the title was paved with obstacles: he was under close observation because of the events of the previous year, was partly accused of acting because of his thigh problems, defended himself against allegations of an allegedly unauthorized toilet break and publicly defended his father over an incident involving a pro-Russian crowd.
His former coach Boris Becker remarked: “There are many secondary theaters of war that disturb his concentration.” Djokovic put it all away. “In my case, I feel like things are piling up for one reason or another”, he said. be it “not an ideal situation”, having to deal with such things off the pitch, “but it’s part of my life”.
He’s trying to take advantage of it “more resilient and stronger” to become. And he proved that in his 33rd Grand Slam final. With outstanding serves, strong returns and great nerves of steel, as in the hard-fought second set, Djokovic forced his Greek opponent to go to the limit again and again to even have a chance.
For the first time Djokovic played in the tournament without the white bandage around his left thigh, which, unlike in the first rounds, did not seem to hinder him at all. The age difference of eleven years and 28 days – the largest ever between two Australian Open finalists in the professional era – was not noticeable. Djokovic seemed fit, fresh and highly motivated.
Tsitsipas and Djokovic before the final
Tsitsipas finds its way into the game better from the second sentence
The 24-year-old Tsitsipas, who chose the Australian Open as his “home slam”, found his game much better in his second Grand Slam final from the second set and thus heated the mood in the Rod Laver Arena with almost 15,000 spectators. Thousands of visitors also cheered on the many public viewing areas in Melbourne Park. In the end, Tsitsipas had to, as in the final of the French Open 2021 Djokovic beaten.