Djokovic beats Tsitsipas for 10th Australian Open title, ties Nadal with 22nd Grand Slam

Novak Djokovic climbed into the stands of Rod Laver Arena to celebrate his 10th Australian Open championship and 22nd Grand Slam title on Sunday and, after jumping and applauding his team, he collapsed on his back, crying.

When he returned to the playing field, Djokovic sat on the side bench, covered his face with a white towel and cried again.

This trip to Australia was more successful than a year ago, when he was deported from the country for not being vaccinated against COVID-19. And Djokovic accomplished everything he could have hoped for on his return: He continued his winning ways at Melbourne Park and returned to the top of tennis, declaring: “This is, of course, the biggest victory of my life.”

Only briefly challenged in the final, Djokovic only got better at the most important moments and defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5). As a bonus, Djokovic will go from No. 5 to No. 1 in the ATP rankings, a spot he has held for more weeks than anyone else.

“I want to say this is one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played in my life, considering the conditions. I didn’t play last year; I’m back this year,” said Djokovic, wearing a zip-up white jacket with “22” on his chest. “And I want to thank everyone who made me happy, made me feel good, in Melbourne, in Australia.”

WATCH l Djokovic beats Tsitsipas in straight sets to claim 22nd Grand Slam title:

Djokovic equaled Rafael Nadal’s major record with his 10th Australian Open title

The dominant Serbian won his 22nd grand slam to equal Nadal’s overall career mark while adding to his own record with a 10th Australian Open title.

The 35-year-old from Serbia extended his unbeaten streak in Melbourne to 28 matches, the longest run in the Open era, which dates to 1968. He added trophy No. 10 to seven from Wimbledon, three from the US Open — where he was also absent last year due to a lack of coronavirus shots – and two from the French Open, to match rival Rafael Nadal’s most by a man.

Only two women – Margaret Court, with 24, and Serena Williams, with 23 – ahead of him.

It was also Djokovic’s 93rd ATP tour-level title, breaking a tie with Nadal for fourth.

“I want to thank you for pushing our sport so far,” Tsitsipas told Djokovic.

On a cold evening under a cloudy sky, and with the soundtrack of songs from the supporters of both men, repeated requests for silence from the chair umpire, Djokovic excelled throughout, especially in the two tiebreakers.

They took a 4-1 lead in the first, then reeled off the last three points. He led 5-0 in the closing tiebreaker and, when it was over, he pointed to his temple before screaming, a prelude to all the tears.

“It’s very emotional for us. It’s very emotional for him,” said Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic. “It’s a big achievement. It’s been a really tough three weeks for him. He can handle everything.”

Perhaps surprisingly, Tsitsipas is willing to engage in the kind of limp-legged, lung-slinging back-and-forth that Djokovic has done in his superlative career. How do we get out? Of the points with at least five shots, Djokovic won 43, Tsitsipas 30.

‘I’ve done everything I can’

Then again, on the rare occasions that Tsitsipas does, Djokovic often makes shots that are too difficult to handle.

It’s not as if Tsitsipas played well, apart from an early mistake that seemed more a product of tension than anything else.

This is because Djokovic is too weak to give up. Very accurate with his punches, committing only 22 unforced errors, 20 fewer than his opponent. A very fast and flexible chase shot (in addition to the second set point, when running to the left, Djokovic suddenly).

“I did everything I could,” said Tsitsipas, who will also move to No.

perhaps. But Djokovic pushed and pushed and pushed more and more, until his opponent, who was less than perfect in one swing, lost or gave him a chance to attack.

It happened when Tsitsipas held his first break point – which was also a set point – when he was leading 5-4 in the second and Djokovic was serving 30-40. Could this be the fulcrum? Can Djokovic lose? Is Tsitsipas rising?

Uh, no.

The 15-stroke point ended with Djokovic hitting a statement-making cross-court forehand winner. Two misses by Tsitsipas followed: A long backhand, wide forehand. They seem to have capitulated. Even when Tsitsipas actually broke in the third, Djokovic broke straight away.

There has been more than forehands and backhands on Djokovic’s mind over the past two weeks.

There is no small matter of last year’s legal saga – he alternately admits the whole thing as motivation but also said the other day, “I’m done” – and is curious about the reception. they will get it when they are allowed to enter Australia because the pandemic restrictions have been eased.

He heard tons of loud support, but also dealt with some constant heckling while competing, including applause after Sunday’s mistake.

Then there was the complicated matter of his father, Srdjan, being filmed with a group of men wearing Russian flags – one with a picture of Vladimir Putin – after Djokovic’s quarter-final. The tournament banned spectators from carrying Russian or Belarusian flags, as it would cause disruption due to the invasion of Ukraine. Djokovic and his father said it was a misunderstanding; Srdjan thought he was with Serbian fans.

However, Srdjan Djokovic did not attend his son’s semifinals or finals.

Regardless, Djokovic excelled as he often does.

“He is the greatest,” said Tsitsipas, “to ever hold a tennis racket.”

Krejcikova, Siniakova won women’s doubles

Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova extended their Grand Slam tournament winning streak to 24 matches with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Japan’s Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara to win the Australian Open women’s doubles title on Sunday.

It was the seventh Grand Slam doubles title by the Czech pair, who broke the Japanese opponent’s serve in each of the first games of the set.

The Czech players won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open doubles titles last year.

“Thank you very much to my friend Barbora,” said Siniakova. “I’m so glad we’re doing it again, it’s been a great ride.”

Krejcikova said there was “hard work” behind her winning streak.

“A lot of practice,” he said. “I remember a lot of matches where we were very close. Many times we reached the semifinals in other Slams, and we didn’t just get through. I think with experience and everything, because the teams change, some teams don’t play anymore or have retired, it’s just a generation that’s changing, too.”

Aoyama and Shibahara are appearing in their 10th final together and their first at a Grand Slam tournament.

“It’s so close… I feel like I’m there,” Shibahara said. “Obviously, our opponents are very good and solid.

“I think experience is the only difference. I know I think next time we’ll have a better chance. Overall, I’m really proud of the way we played together, so I’m really happy with what we did. come.”