Melbourne.- Enter history through the front door. That was what Novak Djokovic achieved by winning the Australian Open for the fifth time, an unprecedented feat in the Open Era. After defeating the British Andy Murray in four sets 7-6 (5) 6-7 (4) 6-3 6-0, the Serbian won the eighth Grand Slam of his professional career, equaling figures such as Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi or Ivan Lendl. A match of great tension, stretched over three hours and marked by the alternative on the scoreboard.
“There were many turning points. “Everyone knew it would be a great battle,” said the Serbian about a match with 14 breaks of serve. “It was a very similar match to the 2013 final, when the first two sets lasted more than two hours. Today we spent two and a half hours for the first two rounds. It was very physical, exhausting” continued Novak, who recalled how at the end of the second set and at the beginning of the third set he suffered a physical breakdown. “We always try to beat our rivals with groundstrokes, with long rallies, a lot of variety in the games. We both took out the full repertoire of blows. I hope everyone enjoyed the meeting.”
After two really tight sets, the turning point came in the seventh game of the third set. “I managed to save breaking balls at 3-3 in the third set, I managed to break and win that set. After this I felt great relief, and from then on I could notice the ball. The inertia was on my side and I took advantage of it” recalled the number 1, who would score the last nine games of the match. “At this level, few points can change a game.”
The fifth Australian Open marks the eighth major crown in the hands of the Balkan, the first that was witnessed by his son Stefan, born last October. “This title has a deep meaning. A more intrinsic value for my life because now I am a father and husband. “It is the first Grand Slam that I have won at this stage of my life and I feel very proud,” he explained.
“I try to stay on the right path, committed to the sport the way I did the last two years. I must use the zenith of my career, playing and feeling like never before at 27 years old. This is why I dedicate myself to sports. To win big titles and play for the people around me. I know how much sacrifice I have put into my career and I don’t take anything for granted,” warned the Serbian, before highlighting the happy moment he is going through off the slopes. “Getting married and becoming a father in recent months has given me new energy, something he had never felt before. “I’m going to try to enjoy these moments with all my heart.”
Was it the most important achievement of your career considering the circumstances? “Fortunately I have had many great moments in the Grand Slams. I think every major victory is special in its own way. “I can’t compare them,” he apologized. “But this tournament has been the most successful of my career. I love playing here, coming back every year. Australia is a country that loves sports. Fans love the Australian Open. They have once again broken attendance records,” he recalled, after seeing how more than 700,000 people followed the best players on the ATP World Tour in Melbourne.
“This tournament serves as a reference for the rest of the season’s events. Andy said on court that he hears other players say that they love this tournament. One of the reasons is that Craig Tiley and all the people who organize the event try to improve the facilities and make the tennis players feel good. Australia is a sports country, wherever you go there are people practicing sports. Everyone is in shape. “It is a very stimulating environment for sports,” said Novak, outlining hopes for the future for 2015. “I love being here, having won the eighth Grand Slam title and being mentioned in the elite group among legends of our sport is a great privilege.” . “It will serve as inspiration for the rest of the season.”
Djokovic will leave Melbourne firmly established as number 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, with a cushion that will be around 4,000 points. The Melbourne event, a traditional push in his career that motivates him to achieve new goals. “For some reason I have managed to play well here and win five titles. And for some reason I haven’t been able to conquer Roland Garros yet. “I am going to continue working and believing that I can do it, at least once, before the end of my career.”
(fuente: es.atpworldtour)
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2024-04-22 13:53:35