An emotional Novak Djokovic yesterday called it “the biggest victory in my life” after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas to win a 10th Australian Open title and equal Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam crowns.
The Serb is to return to world No. 1 after he overcame a hamstring injury and off-court drama to sweep past the Greek third seed 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5) at Rod Laver Arena.
The 35-year-old climbed to his player’s box afterward to embrace his mother and broke down in uncontrollable tears, collapsing to the ground sobbing.
Photo: AFP
His father was again missing after he sparked controversy by posing with a fan carrying a Russian flag featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin’s face following his son’s quarter-final win.
The victory over Tsitsipas capped a remarkable return for Djokovic to Melbourne Park, having missed last year’s tournament when he was deported because of his stance on COVID-19 vaccinations.
“I have to say this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played considering the circumstances, not playing last year, coming back this year,” he said. “I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, comfortable, to be in Melbourne.
“I try to pinch myself and really live through these moments, it’s a long journey,” Djokovic said.
“Only my team and family know what we have been through in the last four or five weeks, and this is why I’d probably say this is the biggest victory in my life,” he said.
There had been an air of inevitability about Djokovic triumphing once more. After his three-year ban from Australia was lifted, Djokovic won the lead-up Adelaide International before reinforcing his stature as an all-time great in Melbourne.
“Novak, I don’t know what to say. It speaks for itself what you have achieved so far... Congratulations,” said 24-year-old Tsitsipas, who still has yet to win a major. “I’ve had the privilege to play a lot of difficult, high-intensity matches, but I would like to say one more time Novak brings the best out in me... He’s the greatest that has ever held a tennis racquet, for sure.”
Djokovic opened with a comfortable hold after being greeted by huge cheers.
He worked two break points on Tsitsipas’s opening serve, to no avail, but kept probing and the Greek handed him a break for 3-1 with a careless double fault.
Tsitsipas, in only his second Grand Slam final to Djokovic’s 33rd, appeared nervous, losing the first set in just 36 minutes, but he battled back into contention in a much closer second set.
He earned his first break point — and set point — when Djokovic blasted a backhand wide, but the Serb clung on to keep the set on serve and it went to a tiebreak, where his greater experience roared to the fore.
Against the odds, Tsitsipas broke for the first time on Djokovic’s opening serve in set three, only to relinquish the advantage immediately after a gripping rally.
It again went to a tiebreak, where Djokovic once again raised a level to claim another title.
Meanwhile, Czech top seeds Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova defended their Australian Open women’s doubles crown.
They outgunned Japan’s 10th-seeded Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara 6-4, 6-3, posting their 24th straight win at a major.
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