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Serbia’s Novak Djokovic lifts the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup trophy after winning against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the men’s singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2023. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP)
MELBOURNE-A ruthless Novak Djokovic continued his reign at Melbourne Park by winning a record 10th Australian Open title on Sunday and dashing the Grand Slam dreams of Greek trailblazer Stefanos Tsitsipas in a one-sided final.
In a rematch of the 2021 French Open decider, Djokovic won 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5) at Rod Laver Arena to claim the world number one ranking and deny Tsitsipas a major title again.
The atmosphere was electric and the crowd was often unruly as the Serbian and Greek fans on the terrace roared like a football team.
But in the end the chants of “Nole! Nole” won when Djokovic stormed to a 5-0 lead in the final tiebreak and closed the match with a forehand thumping down the line that Tsitsipas could only reach long.
The 35-year-old Serb tapped his temple and heart as he walked forward to shake hands with Tsitsipas before jumping into the players’ box.
Djokovic clenched his fists and cried as he hugged his mother.
“This trophy is as much yours as mine.”@DjokerNole give credit to his team.#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/LAA7MlKrT3
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
Djokovic’s 22nd Grand Slam victory, which he now matches with Rafa Nadal, is the last redemption a year since his sensational deportation from Australia on the eve of the Grand Slam due to a lack of COVID-19 vaccination.
The dark episode seemed like ancient history on Sunday as he cheered on his army of Serbian supporters.
Although he has repeatedly said he holds no grudge against being deported, Djokovic has no doubt that what happened last year will fuel his success.
He has many other spurs in this tournament, with heckling fans, snide comments about the severity of the hamstring injury and calls for Srdjan’s father to be banned from Melbourne Park to unite with Putin supporters carrying the banned Russian flag.
“I have to say this is the most challenging tournament I’ve played in my life,” Djokovic said as he held up the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.
“Didn’t play last year, came back this year.
“This is probably the biggest victory of my life considering the circumstances.”
As in the semi-finals, there was no Srdjan in the box but Djokovic had enough support throughout the show court.
Where the left thigh was strapping in the semi-final and before, there was just a bit of tape poking out of the short-leg.
OMEN
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (C) celebrates with his mother Dijana Djokovic (centre L) after winning against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas during the men’s singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2023. (Photo by Martin KEEP/AFP)
This bodes badly for Tsitsipas, who at Roland Garros in 2021 gave up a two-set lead to lose to the Serbian.
He had chances on Sunday, including a set point in the second set, but he couldn’t convert.
“Novak brings the best out of me and this is a match I have used all my life,” Tsitsipas said in a friendly runner-up speech.
“He’s the greatest to ever hold a tennis racket.”
Facing a man in his 33rd Grand Slam final, Tsitsipas, in the second, was tense.
He double-faulted to drop serve in the fourth game and quickly Djokovic was 4-1 up, pumping his fists at the net.
A wide, kicking serves wrapped up the flight to Serbia, who marched to the seat contented.
Tsitsipas focused on his serve and found some breaks.
He had a narrow victory when Djokovic fell to the court to chase down a backhand to tie the score at 3-3.
Djokovic became frustrated with Tsitsipas being flexible on serve and began to speak to his coach who did not add Goran Ivanisevic.
He gave up set point at 5-4 with a backhand error to the delight of the Greek fans but saved it with a forehand winner down the line.
The crowd became unruly as the set went into a chaotic tiebreak, with one fan singing a song during a rally tied at 4-4.
“He’s the greatest to ever hold a tennis racket.”@steftsitsipas • @DjokerNole • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/VDvVI9r8RP
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
Tsitsipas cracked, reaching length twice, and Djokovic sealed the set just like the first, with a wide serve.
With the match slipping out of his grasp, Tsitsipas needed some luck.
It was immediate when Djokovic dropped his serve with a poor opening game in the third set.
Tsitsipas’s moment arrived, but quickly disappeared when he missed a forehand with the court open begging.
The Greek chased it down and Djokovic attacked, immediately breaking back with a brilliant forehand.
From there, the Serbian locked up the match with his trademark control before hitting a forehand down the line to earn three match points in the final tiebreak.
He blew one with a backhand and Tsitsipas saved a second with a big serve, but Djokovic made no mistake on three.
With his entourage having changed into shirts emblazoned with “10”, Djokovic held the trophy again, 15 years after lifting it for the first time as a 20-year-old in 2008.
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