Novak Djokovic is back as number one ranked tennis player in the world after winning his 10th Australian Open final in straight sets against the number 4 seed, Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6. 7-6 at a full capacity Rod Laver Stadium in Melbourne, Sunday afternoon (Manila time).
By doing so, he is now tied with Rafael Nadal with a record 22 grand slam titles, the most in tennis history.
“This is the biggest victory of my life,” said Djokovic.
The tough road back
It’s been a tough road back for the Serb as he has been plagued with injuries and issues regarding his refusal to get vaccinated last year for the same tournament.
He was able to get by in 2022 by playing in countries that don’t require vaccination.
Apart from Australia, the USA and Canada strictly require foreigners to be vaccinated upon entry that is why Djokovic has missed a few major tournaments which affected his standing.
He was the number five seed coming into this tournament.
“This has been one of the most challenging tournaments I have played in my life,” said the champion.
“What a journey it has been for my family, my team and myself.
“ I try to pinch myself and really live through these moments Only the team and the family
knows what we have been through in the last four or five weeks.” he added.
Record breaking Serb
Djokovic was bound to tie the record for most grand slams given his success on his “favorite court”, riding a 27-match winning streak on his way to the final.
He has been playing phenomenal tennis these last few weeks.
The Serb was dominant from the start, winning seven of the first nine points to take a 3-1 lead. Before you knew it, 36 minutes later, cheers from the stands could be heard for him after winning the first set.
The Greek number one Tsitsipas was not going to go out quietly as he played every point losing only on tiebreakers in the last two sets, taking Djokovic to the limit. The champion just kept coming back, a testament to his fighting spirit.
“He’s one of the greatest in our sport, and he’s the greatest that has ever held a tennis racquet, for sure,” said Tsitsipas.
At 35 years old, Djokovic is now the 3rd oldest man in the open era to win the Australian Open.
With Roger Federer now retired, It has now come down to Djokovic and Nadal to reach tennis immortality by adding to their record haul.
Who will end up with the most, that chapter has yet to be written.
