Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka wins Australian Open title
Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to win a 10th Australian Open and move level with Rafael Nadal on a men’s record 22 grand slam titles.
The Serbian was deported from Australia 12 months ago amid a political storm over his exemption for the Covid vaccine, but has made a triumphant return to the court with a historic victory on Rod Laver Arena.
The 35-year-old defeated Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 in just under three hours to maintain his perfect record in Australian Open finals. Djokovic has now won all 10 of his showpiece appearances in Melbourne and extends his winning streak at Melbourne Park to 28 matches.
It also moves Djokovic level with Nadal in the grand slam race, after the Spaniard edged ahead by winning the Australian Open in Djokovic’s absence and the French Open to reach a men’s record 22 titles.
Follow live reaction from the Australian Open men’s final, below:
Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Australian Open
Djokovic moves level with Rafael Nadal on 22 grand slams.
The next tournament? The French Open at Roland Garros, where Nadal is a 14-time winner.
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Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Australian Open
Djokovic: “What a journey it has been for me and my family. You guys, I don’t know if you will ever forgive me for what I have done to you over the years. This trophy is as much for you as it is for me.
“This has been one of the most challenging tournaments I have played in my life, considering the circumstances. Not playing last year, coming back this year. There is a reason I have played my best tennis here - in front of legends like Rod Laver.
“Only my team and my family know what I have been through over the last four or five weeks. I think this has to be the biggest victory of my life, given the circumstances.”
That confirms what we thought after the celebrations. This meant more to Djokovic than any other tournament victory.
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Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Australian Open
And here’s Novak Djokovic:
“Good evening everyone - first of all, I am touched by Stefanos’ words. We are fierce competitors on the court but that should not mean that we don’t respect each other. Tough luck tonight, great battle. This is not your last grand slam. You have lots of time, lots more than me! You are one of the most professional tennis players on the tour and one of the most interesting.
“Greece and Serbia, we are two small countries without tennis tradition. We didn’t have too many players to look up to. The message for young tennis players is, dream big, dare to dream. I think the more difficult your childhood is the stronger you become. Stefanos and I are proof of that. Dream big, you can make it.”
Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Australian Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas wasn’t able to produce the level of aggressive tennis required to disrupt Novak Djokovic tonight. He had some chances near the end of the second set and at the start of the third, but wasn’t able to convert.
“Novak, I don’t know what to say, the numbers say it all,” he says. “It’s been an unbelievable journey for you and I admire what you have done for our sport.
“He’s one of the greatest in our sport - the greatest to have ever held a tennis racket. I’d like to thank you for pushing our sport so far.
“It’s not easy to be here again in the final of a grand slam. But thank you to my team, we are getting there.”
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Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Australian Open
“The king of Melbourne Park is back” - the trophy presentation is underway, with Djokovic wearing a jacket with ‘22’ on it. All his team have ‘10’ shirts on, too.
Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Australian Open
Unbelievable scenes - unprecedented for Djokovic. The trophy ceremony will take place next.
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GAME, SET AND MATCH! NOVAK DJOKOVIC WINS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN!
Djokovic points to his head after winning match point and there is a warm embrace with Tsitsipas at the net.
The emotion from there is extraordinary. Djokovic goes to his box and roars. He climbs up to meet his family and coaches, and breaks down into tears.
I cannot remember seeing this level of emotion from Djokovic before. He falls onto his back and is completely overcome.
As he goes back to his seat courtside he sobs into his towel. Huge, gulping sobs. It has to do with everything he went through last year, with the deportation from Australia.
He returned this year with a single goal - and he has now achieved it.
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GAME, SET AND MATCH! NOVAK DJOKOVIC WINS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN!
10 Australian Opens!
22 grand slam titles!
Djokovic has done it. What a comeback to Melbourne.
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-6 6-6 Stefanos Tsitsipas - Tiebreak!
Tsitsipas finds the first serve. Djokovic nets on the stretch. 5-2
What a rally - but it’s Tsitsipas who prevails! Brilliant crosscourt exchange from both players. Tsitsipas attacks with the angled backhand, and Djokovic can’t return with the volley. 5-3.
Sublime from Djokovic! He attacks again, forcing Tsitsipas to retreat behind the baseline, before powering the forehand winner. 6-3
Championship point! Lots of noise still in the crowd.
Djokovic pulls the backhand off the Tsitsipas serve. One saved. 6-4.
Tsitsipas again! First serve in, and the Greek puts away the forehand! 6-5.
One more Championship point!
Djokovic clips the line with the forehand crosscourt, Tsitsipas goes long!
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-6 6-6 Stefanos Tsitsipas - Tiebreak!
Djokovic gets off to the quick start, continuing his run on serve. 1-0
And then Djokovic attacks the Tsitsipas second serve! Inside out forehand winner, off the return, stunning! 2-0
Tsitsipas with the forehand error, it’s like the second set tiebreak is repeating itself! 3-0
Djokovic with great depth to the Tsitsipas backhand, and the Greek almost gives up on the chipped return. 4-0
Tsitsipas with the backhand into the net - Djokovic moves two points away. 5-0
There’s lots of noise in the crowd, Djokovic with the backhand slice that drifts wide. Djokovic looks up but he’s got a big lead. 5-1
