For the 22nd time in his career, Novak Djokovic is a Grand Slam champion, having defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2023 Australian Open final 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5).
The victory in Melbourne means that Djokovic matches Rafael Nadal‘s record of 22 Grand Slam titles, and the Serbian celebrated this one with a huge grin after winning match point.
Moment: Match point and tears as Djokovic seals tenth Australian Open title
Djokovic was in control of the match from the very beginning, breaking the Greek early in the first set to race into an early 3-1 lead, which he converted into a 6-3 first set win.
The second set was much more evenly contested, as Tsitsipas didn’t want to give up without a fight.
The Greek even had a set point on Djokovic‘s serve, but couldn’t take it as the Serbian struck a perfect forehand at a decisive moment, beating his chest in celebration and eventually taking the set to a tiebreak, which he won 7-4.
After a change of clothing in between the second and third set, Djokovic looked rusty and started with a double fault and with an early loss of serve, but he recovered to take the set to another tiebreaker.
There, Djokovic won the first five points of the tiebreak, eventually winning it 7-5 off a powerful serve.
Djokovic matches Nadal on 22 Grand Slam titles
With this win, the Serbian has now pulled level with Nadal on 22 Grand Slam titles during their careers, which is the joint-record and ahead of Roger Federer‘s 20.
Djokovic wins the Australian Open and matches Nadal on 22 Grand Slams
The Serbian and the Spaniard are both still going at 35 and 36 years of age respectively.
Although Nadal has suffered an injury in Australia this winter, he’ll hope to win once again at Roland-Garros, while Djokovic will be the favourite when Wimbledon comes around.
By the time these two legends finally retire, the Grand Slam record might be even higher than the 22 that it is now.
Djokovic labels tenth Aussie Open final win: “Biggest victory in my life”
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News Summary:
- Djokovic wins the Australian Open and matches Nadal on 22 Grand Slams
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