Djokovic defeated Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) to assert his twenty second Grand Slam title to equal Rafael Nadal’s all-time report.
Novak Djokovic has received his tenth Australian Open championship and record-equalling twenty second Grand Slam title total by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas within the remaining at Rod Laver Area.
The Serbian star dropped only one set all match, regardless of saying he feared a left hamstring downside may power him to withdraw, and completed with a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) victory over first-time Australian Open finalist Tsitsipas on Sunday.
On account of successful the primary Grand Slam of the 12 months, Djokovic additionally reclaimed the world number-one rating from Carlos Alcaraz.
The 35-year-old didn’t compete within the Australian Open a 12 months in the past after being deported from the nation as a result of he was not vaccinated towards COVID-19.
Authorities restrictions have eased since, and he was in a position to get a visa this time regardless of nonetheless not having gotten vaccinated towards COVID.
“I’ve to say this has been essentially the most difficult match I’ve performed in my life … not enjoying final 12 months, coming again this 12 months,” Djokovic mentioned after the match. “Solely the staff and the household is aware of what we have now been by way of within the final 4 or 5 weeks.”
Now Djokovic has prolonged his successful streak on the hard-court match to twenty-eight matches.
His tenth trophy in Australia provides to the report he already held. His 22 main championships – which embrace seven from Wimbledon, three from the US Open and two from the French Open – are tied with Rafael Nadal for essentially the most by a person within the historical past of tennis.
With sizeable Greek and Serbian communities in Melbourne, and Rod Laver in attendance, there was a raucous ambiance.
Djokovic got here into the match along with his confidence excessive having received all 9 of his earlier Australian Open finals and with a 10-2 profession benefit over the Greek.
He was superior all through towards Tsitsipas, however particularly so within the two tiebreakers.
Djokovic took a 4-1 lead within the first and after it was 4-all, pulled off the final three factors. He led 5-0 within the closing tiebreaker and, when it completed, he pointed to his temple then climbed into the stands, pumped his fist and jumped along with his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, and different members of the entourage, earlier than collapsing, crying.
“This trophy is yours as a lot as mine.”@DjokerNole provides credit score to his staff.#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/LAA7MlKrT3
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
Djokovic returned to the court docket, sat on his sideline bench, buried his face in a white towel and let some extra tears stream.
Margaret Court docket, with 24, Serena Williams, with 23, and Steffi Graf, with 22, have essentially the most championships amongst ladies.
This was additionally the 93rd ATP tour-level title for Djokovic, permitting him to interrupt a tie with Nadal for the fourth most. Jimmy Connors holds that mark, at 109.
Djokovic was taking part in his thirty third main remaining, Tsitsipas in his second – the 24-year-old’s different one additionally resulted in a loss to Djokovic, on the 2021 French Open.
