CNN
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The result was familiar, the ease with which it was achieved somewhat surprising. The historic implications of this match certainly did not overwhelm Novak Djokovic as the Serbian defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to win a 10th Australian Open title and a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam.
After winning 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5), Djokovic went to the players’ box and sobbed uncontrollably, overcome by the significance and emotion of his achievement. put in Even as he returned to his seat on court, Djokovic hid his face in a towel, television cameras picking up the sound of his incessant sobbing.
Last year, Djokovic was unable to defend his title after being deported from the country due to his Covid-19 vaccination status. At Melbourne Park this year, he suffered a hamstring injury and suffered the loss of his father Sreejan, Being filmed with a group of Russian supporters At the Australian Open.
During the presentation ceremony, Djokovic described the win as “the biggest win of my life”.
“It’s been one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played in my life given the conditions,” he said.
“Didn’t play last year, coming back this year. I want to thank all the people who welcomed me, made me feel comfortable. Only the team and the family know what we have been through in the last four-five weeks and given the circumstances, this is the biggest win of my life.
The statistics are staggering, the quality and consistency of his tennis even more so. Djokovic last lost at the Australian Open in 2018, a winning streak that spans 28 matches. He lost only one set in this tournament.
Both Djokovic and Rafael Nadal now share the men’s record for major wins, with Djokovic becoming only the second player to win more than 10 titles in a single Slam. Second, yes, Nadal, who has won the French Open 14 times.
Undoubtedly these two men are all-time greats not only of their sport but of any sport. Which is the biggest? This fight and debate is going on, and tennis is profitable.
The win over Tsitsipas in Melbourne, which took just over three hours, also returned Djokovic to the top of the men’s world rankings, a spot he will hold for a record-extending 374th week.
Tsitsipas, playing in his second Grand Slam final, the first of which also ended in defeat to Djokovic at the French Open, can take heart that he is not the first player to lose to the 35-year-old Serb. Big chance.
There was pressure from the Greek going on serve. He went down 15–40 in the second game but leveled the first set at 1–1, yet when Djokovic broke in the fourth game it not only felt like the set would go to an inevitable conclusion, but The match will be the same. .
Third-seeded Tsitsipas fought back in the second set, unforced errors dropped, the serve became more powerful, and he earned a set point but it was Djokovic who later prevailed in a 15-shot rally. And then, the opportunity was gone. Forehand errors would ruin Tsitsipas’ chances in the tiebreak that decided the set.
A quick break of Tsitsipas’ serve in the third set suggested the match was poised to turn, but Djokovic stormed back. Again, a tiebreak was needed to separate the pair, with Djokovic leading 5-0 before claiming three championship points – this time with the Supreme.
When Tsitsipas hit the return long, the title was secured for Djokovic. Sarab looked at his team and family members – his father Sreejan was not present – and pointed to his head and heart. And then the tears came.
Ultimately, Tsitsipas’ 42 unforced errors proved costly, while he was only able to secure one of the three break points he had chances to take if he was to really test the Serbian.
For now, the man is tipped to be one of the players to succeed in the big two of men’s tennis.
