Novak Djokovic prolonged his unparalleled file of Australian Open titles to 10 with victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday.
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We recall Djokovic’s unimaginable run of success on the way in which to changing into the undoubted king of Melbourne Park.
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– First Serb: 2008 –
Becomes first Serb to win a Grand Slam. Then 20, he burst into the massive time with a straight-sets victory within the semi-finals over world primary Roger Federer.
In the ultimate he beat Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
“Every player dreams of winning a Grand Slam. I am still not fully aware of what I have achieved these past two weeks,” the younger Djokovic stated.
– Three-year wait ends: 2011 –
It was three lengthy years earlier than Djokovic secured a second main triumph, and he put his success right down to a gluten-free weight-reduction plan.
It heralded a golden yr the place he received three of the 4 Grand Slam titles.
He misplaced just one set your entire fortnight in Melbourne together with defeating defending champion Federer once more within the semi-finals, earlier than overpowering Andy Murray within the last.
Djokovic stated he determined to vary his backroom group, in addition to his weight-reduction plan, after a disappointing 2010.
“I had to try to find the best possible solution and try to get back on the right track. That’s what I did,” he stated.
– The longest last: 2012 –
Djokovic’s first profitable Grand Slam defence concerned feats of endurance hardly ever witnessed earlier than in tennis.
After a five-set battle in opposition to Murray within the semi-final, he then needed to combat for nearly six hours in opposition to Rafael Nadal to win the title.
It was the longest Grand Slam singles last within the Open period and ended at 1:37 am.
Djokovic ripped off his shirt and roared at the top of the epic match which he received 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5 in 5hr 53min.
“Physically it was the toughest match I ever played,” stated Nadal, after addressing the gang with: “Good morning!”
– Title hat-trick: 2013 –
Djokovic grew to become the primary man because the Open period started in 1968 to win three Australian titles in a row after overpowering Murray in 4 units.
“It’s definitely my favourite Grand Slam, my most successful Grand Slam. I love this court,” stated Djokovic.
– Revenge over Wawrinka: 2015 –
Djokovic was overwhelmed within the 2014 quarter-finals by Stan Wawrinka, the eventual champion, however was again to his punishing greatest a yr later.
After exacting revenge on the Swiss within the semi-finals he once more rolled over Murray for the title, inflicting a humiliating 6-0 bagel on the Scot within the last set to tie Andre Agassi on the all-time record with eight Grand Slam titles.
His spouse Jelena had given delivery to their son Stefan three months earlier.
“I think it has deeper meaning, more intrinsic value now to my life because I’m a father and a husband,” stated Djokovic.
– ‘Djokovic Slam’: 2016 –
The data stored tumbling as he clinched a sixth Melbourne crown to equal Roy Emerson’s pre-Open period file and win a 3rd consecutive main title after Wimbledon and the US Open in 2015.
He would full the “Djokovic Slam” at the French Open to carry all 4 majors at the identical time.
He defeated Murray for a fourth time within the championship match.
“It’s an incredible feeling, especially because of the fact that I managed to make history tonight and equal Roy Emerson’s record of six Australian Opens,” he stated.
– Sampras eclipsed: 2019 –
After two years battling harm, together with present process elbow surgical procedure, he swatted apart outdated rival Nadal within the last to assert a file seventh Australian Open and fifteenth Grand Slam title to go forward of his childhood idol, Pete Sampras.
“It was definitely a sign of destiny to start playing tennis, to aspire to be as good as Pete,” Djokovic stated. “To surpass him with Grand Slam titles, I’m speechless.”
– Great eight: 2020 –
Djokovic captured his eighth Australian Open title and earned his 900th tour-level match win on the way in which.
Federer was dispatched in straight units within the semi-final however Dominic Thiem gave Djokovic his hardest last because the Nadal epic in 2012.
Djokovic ultimately fought again from two units to 1 right down to safe his seventeenth main.
“Obviously at this stage of my career, Grand Slams are the ones I value the most. They are the ones I prioritise,” he stated.
– Stomach for the combat: 2021 –
Djokovic regarded on his means out when he might barely run due to an stomach harm within the third spherical in opposition to Taylor Fritz, however in some way survived in 5 units.
He was unable to coach between matches, however grew fitter with each passing spherical and reached the ultimate.
World quantity 4 Daniil Medvedev went the way in which of the Serb’s eight earlier last opponents as a rampant Djokovic prolonged his good file in finals in Melbourne.
– More controversy, extra glory: 2023 –
The fourth seed returned after lacking the 2022 version when he was deported over his Covid stance.
There had been considerations over how he can be obtained by the gang and there was hamstring hassle too, however the Serb acquired a heat reception and the harm improved as he went deeper into the match.
There was but extra controversy when his father Srdjan was pictured posing subsequent to a Russian flag that includes Vladimir Putin’s face.
Djokovic put all of it apart to achieve the ultimate and beat Tsitsipas for a tenth Melbourne title and record-equalling 22 Slam crowns.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
