Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday to win the Australian Open 2023 title 6-3, 7-6, 7-6. The 35-year old carrried a 28-match winning streak at Melbourne Park.
Djokovic won the title for three consecutive years 2019, 2020, and 2021, but couldn't participate in the 2022 edition because he was not granted a visa for being unvaccinated for Covid-19. However, the Serbian reclaimed the Australian Open title for the 10th time and returned to No.1 rank in the ATP rankings by winning the championship. After winning the 22nd title, he equalled Rafael Nadal with 22 Grand slam titles, most in men's singles.
Djokovic won his first Grand Slam title 15 years ago in the year 2008 and that too in the Australian Open. After the legendary player won the 2023 edition of Australian Open, he became emotional and couldn't control tears.
Performance of Djokovic in all four Grand Slams in 2022:
- Australian Open: NA
- French Open: Quarterfinals
- Wimbledon: Winner
- US Open: NA
"I want to say this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I've ever played in my life, considering the circumstances.
Not playing last year; coming back this year," Djokovic said, wearing a zip-up white jacket with a “22” on his chest.
"And I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, made me feel comfortable, to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia."
And a moment later, he uttered a statement that is truly significant, given all the 35-year-old from Serbia has done on a tennis court: "This probably is the, I would say, biggest victory of my life."
Djokovic stretched his unbeaten streak in Melbourne to 28 matches, the longest run there in the Open era, which dates to 1968.
He adds trophy No.10 to the seven from Wimbledon, three from the U.S.Open — where he also was absent last year because of no coronavirus shots — and two at the French Open, to match rival Rafael Nadal for the most by a man.
Only two women — Margaret Court, with 24, and Serena Williams, with 23 — are ahead of him. This was also the 93rd ATP tour-level title for Djokovic, breaking a tie with Nadal for the fourth-most."I would like to thank you for pushing our sport so far," Tsitsipas told Djokovic.
Djokovic was participating in his 33rd major final, Tsitsipas in his second — and the 24-year-old from Greece's other one also ended in a loss to Djokovic, at the 2021 French Open.
On the other hand, Aryna Sebalanka won the women's final after defeating Elena Rybakina on Saturday. The 24-year-old from Belarus won her first ever Grand Slam title. Sabalenka lost the first set but made a brilliant comeback to register win over Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
