Serbia’s Novak Djokovic poses with the Norman Brookes Problem Cup trophy following his victory in opposition to Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas within the males’s singles last match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis event in Melbourne on January 29, 2023. (Photograph by MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP)
MELBOURNE—A ruthless Novak Djokovic resumed his reign over Melbourne Park by profitable a record-extending tenth Australian Open title on Sunday and crushing the Grand Slam dream of Greek trailblazer Stefanos Tsitsipas in a one-sided last.
In a rematch of the 2021 French Open decider, Djokovic swept to a 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5) victory at Rod Laver Enviornment to reclaim the world primary rating and once more deny Tsitsipas a maiden main title.
The environment was electrical and the group typically unruly as Serbian and Greek followers bayed within the terraces as if roaring on soccer groups.
However on the end chants of “Nole! Nole” received out as Djokovic stormed to a 5-0 lead within the last tiebreak and closed out the match with a thumping forehand down the road that Tsitsipas might solely hit lengthy.
The 35-year-old Serb tapped his temple then his coronary heart as he walked ahead to shake palms with Tsitsipas earlier than leaping into his gamers field.
Unleashing a roar, Djokovic pumped his fists then cried as he hugged his mum.
“This trophy is yours as a lot as mine.”@DjokerNole offers credit score to his staff.#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/LAA7MlKrT3
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
Djokovic’s twenty second Grand Slam triumph, now matching Rafa Nadal, was the final word redemption a 12 months on from his sensational deportation from Australia on the eve of the Grand Slam resulting from his lack of COVID-19 vaccination.
That darkish episode appeared like historic historical past on Sunday as he soaked up the cheers from his military of Serbian supporters.
Regardless of saying repeatedly he bore no grudges over his deportation, Djokovic left none doubtful that the occasions of final 12 months can be gasoline for his success.
He has had loads of different spurs at this event, with heckling followers, snide commentary concerning the severity of his hamstring damage and requires his father Srdjan to be barred from Melbourne Park for mixing with Putin supporters bearing banned Russian flags.
“I’ve to say this has been probably the most difficult event I’ve performed in my life,” Djokovic mentioned as he cradled the Norman Brookes Problem Cup.
“Not enjoying final 12 months, coming again this 12 months.
“That is in all probability the largest victory in my life contemplating the circumstances.”
As within the semi-final, there was no Srdjan within the gamers’ field however Djokovic had ample assist throughout the showcourt.
The place his left thigh had strapping within the semi-final and earlier than, there was solely a little bit of tape poking out of his shorts-leg.
BAD OMEN
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (C) celebrates together with his mom Dijana Djokovic (centre L) after victory in opposition to Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas throughout their males’s singles last in opposition to on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis event in Melbourne on January 29, 2023. (Photograph by Martin KEEP / AFP)
It was a foul omen for Tsitsipas, who at Roland Garros in 2021 gave up a two-set result in lose to the Serb.
He had his probabilities on Sunday, together with a set level within the second set, however he was unable to transform them.
“Novak brings the perfect out of me and these are the matches I’ve been working my complete life for,” Tsitsipas mentioned in a gracious runner-sup speech.
“He’s the best that has held a tennis racket.”
Going through a person in his thirty third Grand Slam last, Tsitsipas, in his second, was tense.
He double-faulted to drop serve within the fourth sport and in a flash Djokovic was 4-1 forward, pumping his fist on the internet.
A large, kicking serve wrapped up the set for the Serb, who marched to his chair contented.
Tsitsipas targeted on his serve and located some respite.
He had a small victory when he had Djokovic tumbling on the courtroom in pursuit of a backhand at 3-3.
Djokovic grew pissed off with Tsitsipas’s resilience on serve and started mouthing off at his non-plussed coach Goran Ivanisevic.
He gave up a set level at 5-4 with a backhand error to the delight of Greek followers however saved it with a forehand winner down the road.
The gang grew unruly because the set went to a chaotic tiebreak, with one fan belting out a music throughout a rally at 4-4.
“He’s the best that has ever held a tennis racquet.”@steftsitsipas • @DjokerNole • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/VDvVI9r8RP
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
Tsitsipas cracked, hitting lengthy twice, and Djokovic sealed the set as he did the primary, with a large, kicking serve.
With the match slipping from his grasp, Tsitsipas wanted a little bit of luck.
It got here instantly as Djokovic dropped serve with a messy opening sport within the third set.
Tsitsipas’s second had arrived but it surely was shortly gone when he missed a forehand with an open courtroom begging.
The Greek barked expletives and Djokovic pounced, breaking straight again with a patch of sensible shot-making.
From there, the Serb locked down the match with trademark management earlier than bashing a forehand down the road to convey up three match factors within the last tiebreak.
He blew one with a backhand and Tsitsipas saved a second with an enormous serve, however Djokovic made no mistake on the third.
Along with his entourage having became T-shirts emblazoned with “10”, Djokovic held the winner’s trophy aloft as soon as extra, 15 years after hoisting it for the primary time as a 20-year-old in 2008.
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