Revenge for Djokovic who hunts Nadal down and removes Alcaraz from N° 1
2023 AUSTRALIAN OPEN
A year after being deported from Australia, Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open for the tenth time in his career after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets in the final.
The 35-year-old Serbian reached its 22nd Grand Slam title, reaching Rafael Nadal’s record, and snatched the N° 1 from Carlos Alcaraz.
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- ÁNGEL RIGUEIRA
Barcelona
It is, by far, the most distinguishable quality of the members of the “Big 3”: They don’t fail when they are faced with a historical opportunity in the race between Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic that has led to a golden era of men's tennis.
In the field of what we could already call his backyard (same as Federer with Wimbledon and Nadal with Roland Garros), 35-year-old Serbian Novak Djokovic went for the kill against a prey that looked more appetizing than ever. Those long hours stuck in an immigration hotel got stuck to his mind and heart. He then got deported from Australia after a battle with the central government caused by his refusal to vaccinate against the coronavirus. The same conviction left him without entering the United States later.
He got left behind in the race against his rivals, same as in the ATP world ranking. He celebrated with clenched fists after his coronation at Wimbledon, and he finally took his great revenge at Melbourne Park, recovering his supremacy by signing his tenth Australian Open title. Djokovic now has 22 Grand Slam titles, equaling the record of the tournament champion in the previous edition, Rafael Nadal, and recovers a world number one that Carlos Alcaraz will leave this Monday.
He even took off the bandage he was wearing on his left thigh, something he’d been wearing during the six previous matches to face the decisive battle with the 24-year-old and N° 4 Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. 'Nole' maintained his undefeated status in the Australian Open finals, winning his tenth Australian Open in three sets: 6-3, 7-6 (4) and 7-6 (5) in 2h.56'.
Showing no signs of his hamstring injury, from which a thin protective kinesiology tape remained. In full conditions Djokovic resembles the best Nadal at Roland Garros. Untouchable at home, where his tennis is enhanced. The Serbian is untouchable in a tournament in which he has 28 consecutive victories, 41 overall in Australia, where he started the course by lifting the ATP Adelaide trophy.
He cried inconsolably when he went to celebrate with his family. Absolutely inconsolably. He broke down emotionally in the box with his technical team and family, from which his father Srdjan was absent after the controversy over some images with fans supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Novak is dealing with many factors, he is overcoming them with a lot of quality but also dedication to his passion. Piecework to collect the reward.
The Balkan had never been seen crying so much on the pitch. So much so that he sought for a temporary refuge in his towel. Champion again, the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup once more in his hands. Receiving a check for 2,975,000 Australian dollars (two million euros), adding 2,000 world ranking points. He is installed at the top after some very turbulent times.
Djokovic was overwhelming in the first set. He then got very nervous when Tsitsipas reacted in a second set in which he broke a 4-5 disadvantage. And he took the tiebreak. The ability of the chosen ones to destroy everything face to face and get out of complications unscathed. He recovered from an early break in the third set, he got serious until he gave the last tiebreak. The final stroke is historic.
And he cried and cried. Joyfulness, satisfaction, a tremendous relief. And scores to settle. He now wears a shirt with the number 22 on it, same as Rafael Nadal.
