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Novak Djokovic dominates Tsitsipas to win 10th Australian Open | Tennis News

Djokovic beat Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) to win his 22nd Grand Slam title, equaling Rafael Nadal’s all-time record.

Novak Djokovic won his 10th Australian Open title and set a record 22nd Grand Slam title overall after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final at Rod Laver Arena.

The Serbian star lost just one set the whole tournament, though said he feared a left hamstring problem could force him to withdraw, ending with a 6-3, 7-6 win. (4), 7-6 (5) ahead of first man Australian Open finalist Tsitsipas on Sunday.

With the first Grand Slam championship of the year, Djokovic also reclaimed the world number one position from Carlos Alcaraz.

The 35-year-old did not compete at the Australian Open a year ago after deportation out of the country because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 29, 2023 Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his final win over Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Djokovic extends his winning streak at the tournament to 28 matches [Loren Elliott/Reuters]

Government restrictions have been eased since then, and he has can get a visa this time even though still not vaccinated against COVID.

“I have to say this is the most challenging tournament I’ve ever played in my life…not playing last year, coming back this year,” Djokovic said after the match. “Only the team and the family know what we’ve been through in the last four or five weeks.”

Djokovic has now extended his winning streak in the hard court tournament to 28 matches.

His 10th trophy in Australia adds to the record he already holds. His 22 major championships – including seven Wimbledon titles, three US Opens and two French Opens – are tied to Rafael Nadal the most by a man in tennis history.

With the sizable Greek and Serb communities in Melbourne, and Rod Laver in attendance, there was a buzzing atmosphere.

Djokovic entered the match with high confidence, having won all nine of his previous Australian Open finals and with a 10-2 lead over the Greek.

He was dominant throughout the match against Tsitsipas, but especially in the two tiebreaks.

Djokovic led 4-1 in the first half and, after drawing all four, took the final three points. He took a 5-0 lead in the closing tiebreak and when the match ended, he pointed to his temple and climbed into the stands, swinging his fists and dancing with his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, and other members of the entourage, before collapsing and crying.

Djokovic returned to the court, sat on the side bench, buried his face in a white towel and let a few tears fall.

Margaret Court, with 24, Serena Williams, with 23, and Steffi Graf, with 22, have the most championships among women.

This is also Djokovic’s 93rd ATP title, helping him to overtake Nadal in fourth place. Jimmy Connors holds that mark, at 109.

Djokovic is attending his 33rd major final, Tsitsipas in the second – the 24-year-old’s other game also ends in defeat to Djokovic, at the 2021 French Open.




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