Novak Djokovic overcame world No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) in grand style to win his 22nd Grand Slam title, tying Spain’s Rafael Nadal for the most men’s major titles.
Despite concerns about a thigh injury sustained in the Adelaide International earlier this month, the Serbian defeated Tsitsipas to join a select group of four other players who have won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including Margaret Court (24), Serena Williams (23), and Steffi Graf and Rafael Nadal (both 22).
2️⃣2️⃣ and counting ✍️ pic.twitter.com/zSAjtzAeo6
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
He saw off the 24-year-old in three sets to solidify his status as the most dominant player at the Australian Open, as his record-extending tenth title is four more than Australian Legend Roy Emerson and Swiss tennis great Roger Federer, both on six.
The 35-year-old also became the second player in history to win ten (10) titles at a single Grand Slam, joining Nadal, who has 14 French Open titles.
Djokovic dominated the contest early on to take the first set. He won 94 per cent of his first serve points along with nine winners, forcing numerous errors from Tsitsipas.
The second set was quite different, as Tsitsipas was calmer and more calculative, forcing the world No. 5 into a tie-break, but the experience of the Serb paid off, as his hard-hitting serve was too hard for the Greek to return, sending him into a two-set lead.
The third set was almost like the second, but this time, it was Tsitsipas’ ace that sent the set into a tie-break. However, Djokovic took the set with his own ace to ensure that only France’s Enzo Couacaud took a set off him at the 2023 Australian Open.
Despite Tsitsipas having more aces (15) in the game, number four seed Djokovic won more receiving points (37) and took more points (112).
The win was Djokovic’s eleventh in 13 matches against Tsitsipas and the second in a major final after defeating him at Roland Garros in 2021.
It also continued his unbeaten record of 10 wins in Australian Open finals and 28 wins in total in Melbourne since 2019.
After the visa and vaccine debacle that forced him out of the Open last year, his victory at the Rod Laver Arena means he has now dethroned Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz for the top spot of the ATP rankings after picking up 2000 points, for his first No.1 ranking since June 6, 2021.
The one and only @DjokerNole ☝️ pic.twitter.com/3Opq9GgYLi
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
His appearance in the final was his 33rd in Grand Slam finals, a record in the Open Era in men’s singles tennis, while also becoming the fourth oldest male player in the Open Era to reach the final at the Australian Open, behind Ken Rosewall, Mal Anderson, and Roger Federer in 2018.
Djokovic, who was visibly emotional, climbed into the player box to celebrate with his family before laying in the player box and weeping profusely for joy.
After he was handed the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for the tenth time in his career, he thanked the fans for making him feel welcome and revealed the win was up there with one of his best.
“This has been one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played in my life. Not playing last year, coming back this year. I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, made me feel comfortable to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia,” he said.
“There’s a reason I’ve played my best tennis on this court. Only my team and my family know what we’ve been through in the last four, five weeks. This probably is the biggest victory in my life considering the circumstances.”
KING OF MELBOURNE 👑 @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/myM619PTVN
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
After receiving the runners-up trophy, Tsitsipas praised the Serb and congratulated him on his accomplishments.
He said: “Novak I don’t know what to say, I think it speaks for itself what you have achieved so far. Congratulations. I admire what you have done for our sport, I think you make me a better player.”
“I’ve had the privilege to play a lot of high-intensity matches. These are the matches I’ve been working my entire life for. I’d like to thank you for pushing our sport so far. It’s not easy. Another final at a grand slam but I’m always willing to go back on court and work harder,” the two-time Grand Slam finalist said.
Fantastic fortnight for these two 👏
#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/r6KGiIHgnQ
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
