Another remarkable feat and another Grand Slam title added to the collection!
When Novak Djokovic converted his championship point against Tsitsipas in the 2023 Australian Open final, not only did he lift a record-extending 10th Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, he also equalled one of the most important records in tennis history.
The Serbian ace is on equal terms with Spaniard Rafael Nadal on the Grand Slam titles leaderboard, with 22 Major trophies.
Nole’s Grand Slam collection is mostly built on a foundation of consistent success at Melbourne Park, where he’s won 10 of his 22 biggest titles, and has been crowned champion at 10 of the past 16 editions of the event.
On Sunday, Novak Djokovic won his 93rd career title, beating no.3 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) in two hours and 56 minutes in Rod Laver Arena.
Novak gained control early in the final, to take the opening set with a break in the fourth game. Although the 24-year-old Athens native raised his game in the second and third sets to ensure some gripping rallies, Djokovic was dominant at key moments. He saved a break/set point at 4-5 in the second set with a sublime forehand winner and went on to clinch it in a tie-break.
Tsitsipas claimed his only break of the match in the opening game of the third set, but Djokovic responded immediately to level. The 34-year-old tennis star produced another commanding tie-break display to clinch the historic victory.
“This is one of the most challenging tournaments that I have ever played in my life,” said Novak. “Not playing last year, coming back this year. I want to thank all the people who made me feel welcome. There is a reason why I have played my best tennis on this court, in front of legendary Rod Laver. It is a long journey. All my team and family knows what we have been through in the past four or five weeks and this is probably the biggest victory of my life.”
“Novak, I don’t know what to say. I think it speaks for itself with what you have achieved so far,” said Tsitsipas during the trophy presentation ceremony. “It is all in the numbers, so congratulations. Not only to yourself but having such a supportive family. It has been such an unbelievable journey for you and I admire what you have done for our sport. You make me a better player when I am on court. Novak brings the best out of me and these are the matches I have been working my entire life for. He is one of the greatest in our sport.”
Match statistics: aces (7-15), double faults (3-3), winners (36-40), unforced errors (22-42), total points won (112-94).
With the triumph, Novak will return to the top of the ATP rankings on Monday, and will begin his 374th week at the summit of men’s professional tennis.
Novak will have four weeks off before going back on court at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where he will be bidding for a sixth crown (2009-11, 2013, 2020). Last year Czech Jiri Vesely stopped him in the quarter-finals – 4-6, 6-7 (4).
You can download Nole 2023 February desktop calendar here.
Photos: Profimedia
