MELBOURNE, Australia — There’s an inevitability about Novak Djokovic playing tennis on Rod Laver Arena. It’s the feeling that regardless of what year we’re in, who stands on the other side of the net and just how lopsided the crowd support might be in favor of his opponent, it’s Djokovic who will prevail.
Djokovic, 35, did just that on Sunday evening at Melbourne Park. The Serbian dispatched third-seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) to clinch a record 10th Australian Open title, one which draws him equal, with 22, to great rival Rafael Nadal for the most major titles in men’s tennis — the pair having left long-time leader Roger Federer in their wake on 20.
As Djokovic hugged each member of his players’ box, and before he was able to raise the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, a familiar discussion began to circulate. Who is tennis’ GOAT? And while it’s near impossible to definitively answer this until the “Big Three” era has officially drawn to a close, there’s no doubt Djokovic’s fortnight Down Under has seen him put his nose in front, once again.
Federer has now hung up his racket and Nadal faces yet another injury layoff. Meanwhile, here’s Djokovic, winning Slams. Earlier in the tournament, he said, “I know I’m in the last quarter of my career,” and while that may be accurate, his tennis would suggest he’s not close to being finished. In fact, what he showcased over the past fortnight in Melbourne, all while battling a nagging hamstring strain, is not all that far away from peak-of-his-power Djokovic.
Djokovic dropped just one set en route to the title, the third time he’s won the Australian Open and lost just one set along the journey. He humiliated local hero Alex de Minaur in the fourth round, repeated the dose against fifth-seed Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals and cruised by American Tommy Paul in a lopsided semifinal.
Tsitsipas, the world No. 4, was to be his greatest challenge, but he passed that test with ease, repeating the result of the 2021 French Open final. He kept the unforced errors low all while battering the ball from behind the baseline and hustling after anything Tsitsipas sent over the net. As always, Djokovic found an extra gear when the situation required it. Two tie-breaks? No problem.
“I did everything possible. There’s nothing I could have extracted more. Novak is a player who pushes you to your limits,” said a deflated Tsitsipas after the final. “I think he’s the greatest who has ever held a tennis…
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