MELBOURNE, Australia – Novak Djokovic found this trip to Australia much less complicated, and much more successful, than the one a year ago.
Unable to participate in the first stage of the Grand Slam in 2022, having been expelled from the country because he was not vaccinated once morest COVID-19, Djokovic achieved everything he might have wished for on his return. He returned to success at Melbourne Park and returned to the top of tennis.
Only briefly challenged in the final on Sunday night, Djokovic was simply better at the most crucial moments and beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) for a 10th International title. Australia.
He thus extends a record and, with a 22nd Grand Slam title in total, he equals a mark of Rafael Nadal.
As a bonus, Djokovic will go from n? 5 to n? 1 in the ATP rankings, a place he has already occupied for more weeks than any other tennis player.
“I want to say that it was one of the most difficult tournaments of my life, considering the circumstances,” Djokovic said. I want to thank everyone who welcomed me and made me feel comfortable to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia. »
Then he made a really significant statement, considering everything the 35-year-old Serb has achieved on a tennis court: “I would say this is probably the biggest win of my life.”
Djokovic extended his unbeaten streak in Melbourne to 28 games, the longest there since 1968. He added that 10th Australian trophy to seven from Wimbledon, three from Flushing Meadows and two from Roland Garros, to equal rival Nadal for men in major tournaments.
Only two women – Margaret Court, with 24, and Serena Williams, with 23 – are ahead of him.
It was also the 93rd ATP title for Djokovic, breaking a tie with Nadal for fourth.
“I would like to thank you for taking tennis this far,” Tsitsipas told Djokovic.
Djokovic was taking part in his 33rd major final, Tsitsipas in his second. The 24-year-old Greek was also defeated by Djokovic in 2021, in Paris.
Djokovic took a 4-1 lead in the first tiebreaker and then grabbed the final three points. He led 5-0 in the second deadlock. After securing the win, he walked into the stands, raising his fist and celebrating with his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, and other members of the entourage.
He then collapsed, crying.
Back on the field, he sat down on his bench, buried his face in a towel and cried once more.
Surely that won’t comfort Tsitsipas, but there’s no shame in being beaten by Djokovic in Melbourne. Challenging his dominance on these hard blue courts is the same monumental task as taking on Nadal on the red clay of Roland-Garros.
Djokovic only committed 22 unforced errors, 20 less than his opponent.
He pushes and pushes and pushes some more, until his rival lands a less than perfect strike – providing an opening for the Serb.
That’s what happened when Tsitsipas had his first break point (which was also a set point), when he was leading 5-4 in the second set and Djokovic was serving at 30-40. Would Djokovic falter? No.
A 15-shot exchange concluded with Djokovic hitting a statement-like cross-country forehand winner.
Two misses from Tsitsipas followed: a long backhand, a wide forehand. It felt like a surrender.
Even when Tsitsipas broke in the third set, Djokovic tricked him right following.
Djokovic’s sore left hamstring was heavily taped for every game in Melbourne except the final, where only one piece of tan tape was visible.
Djokovic excelled as he has so often, winning 17 straight sets following giving up one in the second round last week.
“He is the tallest to have held a tennis racket,” Tsitsipas said.
