CNN
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The result was familiar, the ease with which it was achieved somewhat surprising. The historic impact of this match certainly did not deter Novak Djokovic as the Serb beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to win his 10th Australian Open title and 22nd Grand Slam.
After securing the 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) win, Djokovic went into the players’ box and wept uncontrollably, overwhelmed by the significance and emotion of his achievement. Even as he returned to his seat on court, Djokovic hid his face in a towel, television cameras picking up his constant sobs.
Last year, Djokovic was unable to defend his title after being deported from the country due to his Covid-19 vaccination status. At Melbourne Park this year, he suffered a hamstring injury and had to deal with the fall of his father Srijan as he was filmed with a group of Russian fans at the Australian Open.
During the presentation ceremony, Djokovic described the win as “the biggest win of my life”.
“Considering the conditions, it was one of the most challenging tournaments of my life,” he said.
“Didn’t play last year, coming back this year. I want to thank all the people who welcomed me, made me feel comfortable. Only the team and the family know what we’ve been through these last four to five weeks and considering the circumstances, this is the biggest win of my life.”
The stats are astounding, the quality and consistency of his tennis even more so. Djokovic last lost at the Australian Open in 2018, a winning streak that spanned 28 matches. He lost only one set in this tournament.
Both Djokovic and Rafael Nadal now share the men’s record for major wins, while Djokovic became only the second man to win more than 10 singles Slam titles. The other is, yes, Nadal, who has won the French Open 14 times.
These two men are undoubtedly the greatest of all time, not just of their sport, but of any sport. Which is the best? That battle and debate continues, and tennis is the benefactor.
Victory over Tsitsipas in Melbourne, which took just under three hours, also returned Djokovic to the top of the men’s world rankings, a spot he will hold for a record-extending 374th week.
Tsitsipas, playing in his second Grand Slam final, the first of which also ended in a loss to Djokovic at the French Open, may note that he is not the first player to have been beaten by the 35-year-old Serb. big occasion
The Greeks’ serve was under pressure from the whole. He was 15–40 down in the second game but came back to tie the first set at 1–1, yet once Djokovic broke in the fourth game it seemed not only that the set would reach an inevitable conclusion, but so would the match. .
Tsitsipas, the third seed, put up a stiff resistance in the second set, unforced errors were reduced, the serve became stronger and he earned a set point but it was Djokovic who prevailed in the ensuing 15-shot rally. And then, the opportunity is gone. A forehand error would have ruined Tsitsipas’ chance in the tiebreak that decided the set.
An immediate break of Tsitsipas’ serve in the third set suggested the match was turning, but Djokovic broke right back. Again, a tiebreak was needed to separate the pair, this time Djokovic leading 5-0 before claiming the maximum – three championship points.
Djokovic’s title was secured after Tsitsipas made a long comeback. Sarb looked at his team and family members – his father Sreejan was not present – and pointed to his head and heart. And then came the tears.
In the end, Tsitsipas’ 42 unforced errors proved costly, as he only managed to secure one of three break points, a chance he will have to take if he is to truly test the Serb.
For now, this man suggests being a player in the shadows to succeed in the big two of men’s tennis.
