Novak Djokovic gained a record-extending tenth Australian Open and a record-equalling twenty second Grand Slam males’s title through the use of all of his expertise and nous to see off Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Serbia’s Djokovic began strongly and dug deep within the second set on his technique to a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) victory.
The 35-year-old, who attracts stage with Rafael Nadal in main wins, will return to the world primary rating.
Greece’s Tsitsipas, 24, continues his anticipate a primary Grand Slam triumph.
“It has been a protracted journey, however a really particular one,” stated Djokovic, who solely dropped one set throughout the match.
“I performed a few of my greatest tennis truthfully in Australian Open. The fourth spherical, quarter-final, semi-finals, simply actually snug on the court docket, hitting the ball nice.”
Tsitsipas misplaced to Djokovic in his first main ultimate on the 2021 French Open after relinquishing a two-set lead however, this time in Melbourne, he was at all times chasing the match.
Within the few valuable alternatives he needed to threaten Djokovic – notably a set level to stage the match at one set all – the third seed was unable to take them.
Djokovic has not misplaced at Melbourne Park since 2018 – a streak spanning a report 28 matches within the males’s singles.
He has regained the crown which he was unable to defend final 12 months after being deported from Australia following a row over his Covid-19 vaccination standing.
Tsitsipas confirmed resilience to save lots of two championship factors however Djokovic took his third likelihood – this time on his personal serve – when his opponent sliced a forehand lengthy after a brief rally.
Djokovic turned to his crew and members of the family – together with mom Dijana, though father Srdjan didn’t seem like current – standing immobile earlier than pointing to his head and his coronary heart.
After climbing into the field to have fun with them, he broke into tears because the magnitude of his achievement hit him and continued sobbing beneath his towel when he returned to his chair.
“I feel I emotionally collapsed there and teared up with my mom and my brother after I gave them a hug,” Djokovic stated.
“As much as that second I used to be not permitting myself to be distracted with issues off the court docket or no matter was occurring in coping with an harm.”
Masterful Djokovic reveals why he is one of many biggest
Within the build-up to Sunday’s ultimate, Djokovic stated he didn’t really feel any totally different “by way of stress” as he aimed to create extra historical past and transfer nearer to cementing his place as the best participant of all time.
Whereas such a title stays subjective and a subject for debate, the defining issue stays the variety of main titles.
Djokovic moved stage with 36-year-old Nadal – and now solely trails 24-time champion Margaret Court docket and Serena Williams, who has 23, on the ladies’s aspect – and has confirmed up to now two weeks he has the capability to win many extra.
Mentally and bodily, his capacity is displaying few indicators of diminishing.
He had been hampered by a hamstring harm at Melbourne Park and likewise needed to take care of controversy surrounding his father Srdjan, who was pictured on the match with supporters of Russian president Vladimir Putin. earlier than Friday’s semi-final towards American Tommy Paul.
However time and time once more he reveals the stoicism to beat tough circumstances and produce within the largest moments. This was the newest instance.
A assured and picked up begin towards Tsitsipas – concentrating on the Greek’s one-handed backhand, which could be fantastically efficient but in addition liable to interrupt down – set the platform for Djokovic to comfortably declare the opening set.
Nonetheless, like in his semi-final win towards Paul, his temper turned and a spell of tetchiness nearly allowed his opponent again into the competition.
After changing into animated and commonly chuntering to his crew, Djokovic dug in to stave off the set level with a surprising inside-out forehand winner.
Locking in once more noticed him dominate the tie-break for a two-set lead and from that time it regarded unlikely he would lose his grip on the match.
Whereas Tsitsipas broke within the first recreation of the third set, he couldn’t consolidate the benefit and Djokovic once more confirmed his mentality within the tie-break to finish one other masterful win.
Raucous environment as Djokovic regains high spot
The match was performed out in a vibrant and raucous environment – inside and outdoors of Rod Laver Area – as hundreds of Serbian and Greek followers descended on Melbourne Park.
The 2 European nations have massive communities within the Australian metropolis, including additional emotion to an event which meant a lot to each gamers.
Not solely was a Grand Slam title on the road at Melbourne Park, however so too was the world primary rating.
Djokovic’s victory ensured he prolonged his personal report of being the top-ranked participant and he will probably be there for a 374th week when the newest rankings are launched on Monday.
Tsitsipas was seeking to fulfil his childhood dream by lifting the trophy and turn into the twenty ninth participant to be the primary because the ATP rankings had been launched in 1973.
As an alternative he’ll rise to quantity three with Djokovic overtaking Spanish 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who drops to quantity two after lacking the match by way of harm.
In his on-court speech, Tsitsipas stated: “I’ve had the privilege to play numerous tough and high-intensity matches however I want to say another time Novak brings out the most effective in me. He is one of many biggest in our sport and he is the best that has ever held a tennis racquet for positive.”
‘Djokovic prevails once more in extraordinary period’
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller at Melbourne Park
Unbeaten at Melbourne Park since 2018 and pushed by tennis historical past in addition to the unsavoury historical past of 12 months in the past, was Novak Djokovic ever prone to fall brief?
The reinstalled world primary could make profitable the Australian Open look simple. But it surely’s a trick of the attention.
Take the primary set, through which the 35-year-old artfully moved the ball across the court docket with out seemingly exerting himself. He landed first serves, penetratingly deep returns – and some psychological blows.
Djokovic has gained 5 of the previous seven Grand Slams he has contested. His coach Goran Ivanisevic thinks he can maintain taking part in at this stage for one more two or three years.
Ken Rosewall was 37 years and 72 days outdated when he gained the final of his Grand Slams titles at Roland Garros in 1972.
The Australian stays the oldest man to win a Grand Slam within the Open period.
However Djokovic will probably be older come the 2024 US Open, whereas Rafael Nadal will probably be older come this 12 months’s US Open. This actually is a unprecedented period.
