Djokovic equals Grand Slam file with Australian Open title win

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The Serb now has 22 majors to his title, stage with Rafael Nadal on the lads’s all-time listing

Novak Djokovic gained a record-equaling 22nd Grand Slam title as he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight units within the Australian Open last on Sunday. On the identical time, Djokovic prolonged his file variety of titles in Melbourne with a 10th triumph on the match.

After surging out of the blocks to take the primary set at Rod Laver Enviornment, Djokovic was made to work by third seed Tsitsipas within the second and third units. However the Serb utilized his hallmark depth to interrupt the resistance from his Greek rival, profitable 6-Three 7-6 (7-Four) 7-6 (7-5) in a contest lasting two hours and 56 minutes.

With the title, Djokovic strikes stage with Spanish nice Rafael Nadal on 22 Grand Slams on the pinnacle of the lads’s all-time listing. After Nadal’s newest damage woes in Australia and Djokovic’s personal imperious march to yet one more title, many will tip the Serb to maneuver out on his personal on the high of these standings – even with Nadal’s favored French Open subsequent up on the Grand Slam calendar. 

Djokovic, 35, arrived again in Australia this yr after his infamous deportation 12 months in the past. He insisted that he didn’t bear a grudge, however on the identical time acknowledged that it was not the form of expertise that could possibly be simply forgotten.

Certainly, the ordeal has definitely not blunted Djokovic’s iron will – one thing which has been as evident as ever through the previous fortnight in Melbourne. The Serb was pressured to cope with a hamstring damage early on through the match – later reacting angrily to strategies that he was making a meal of the ailment.

Then adopted the row surrounding his father Srdjan and a photograph with a bunch of pro-Russian followers, with Djokovic lamenting the media protection of the incident as one other undesirable distraction.

However on the court docket, Djokovic has not wavered from his activity. He has been imperious in guaranteeing that he stays unbeaten in Melbourne since 2018, with Sunday’s last his 28th successive victory on the Australian Open. Remarkably, Djokovic has not misplaced any of the 10 finals he has contested at a match that he has firmly made his personal.

Sunday’s title win means Djokovic returns to the summit of the ATP scores as world primary. For Greek star Tsitsipas, 24, one other likelihood at a maiden main title has gone begging, however he’ll hope to return once more for a shot at Grand Slam glory and has time on his facet. 

“I don’t know what to say but it surely speaks for itself,” stated Tsitsipas of Djokovic throughout his post-match interview. “He’s one of many biggest in our sport…. I feel he’s the best who ever held a tennis racket.”

After paying tribute to Tsitsipas, Djokovic described his newest title win as “one of the crucial difficult tournaments” of his profession. “Solely the crew and household know what we have been via the final 4 or 5 weeks. This in all probability is the largest victory in my life, contemplating the circumstances,” stated the Serb.

Ought to he be match, Nadal will inevitably supply a menace on the French Open in Could, however after the 36-year-old struggled once more with damage in Melbourne, that appears removed from sure. Djokovic, in the meantime, will eye Paris as a possibility to maneuver out on his personal on the high of the all-time males’s Grand Slam title standings – a feat that many would again him to in the end obtain.