Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has claimed a historic 10th title at Melbourne Park, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas to equal Rafael Nadal's record of 22 grand slams.

Since his first grand slam title here 15 years ago, when a 20-year-old from Belgrade first began to achieve his dreams, Djokovic has won every grand slam and Masters 1000 event multiple times. Among many things, this tournament has underlined Djokovic’s ability to block out all outside issues and focus on his work on the court. He sealed victory with one final vicious forehand, then he pointed at his head and a heart. During the most consequential moment of the match, Djokovic was ultra-aggressive with his forehand, crushing an inside-in forehand winner and punishing Tsitsipas’ tentativeness. Tsitsipas recovered from 0-40 down in his first service game, but Djokovic’s return pressure yielded a double fault at 1-1, sealing the decisive break. He equals Nadal’s all-time men’s singles record of 22 grand slam titles, with the 10th crown at Melbourne Park a peerless marker of his dominance.

Only briefly challenged in the final, Djokovic was simply better at the most crucial moments and beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5). As a bonus, ...

Djokovic and his father said Srdjan thought he was with Serbian fans. “And I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, made me feel comfortable, to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia.” He took a 4-1 lead in the first, then reeled off the last three points. The tournament banned spectators from carrying flags of Russia or Belarus, saying they would cause disruption because of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Yet Djokovic accomplished all he could have possibly wanted in his return: He resumed his winning ways at [Melbourne Park](https://apnews.com/article/sports-elena-rybakina-aryna-sabalenka-australian-open-tennis-ecdf852ed04ec0c888e061710693f543) and made it back to the top of tennis, declaring: "This probably is the, I would say, biggest victory of my life." “I did everything possible,” said Tsitsipas, who also would have moved to No. 10 to the seven from Wimbledon, three from the U.S. Two misses by Tsitsipas followed: A backhand long, a forehand wide. The 35-year-old from Serbia stretched his unbeaten streak in Melbourne to 28 matches, the longest run there in the Open era, which dates to 1968. Keep in mind: It's not as though Tsitsipas played all that poorly, other than a rash of early miscues that seemed to be more a product of tension than anything. Might Djokovic relent? Open — where he also was absent last year because of no coronavirus shots — and two from the French Open, to match rival Rafael Nadal for the most by a man.

An emotional Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday to claim a 10th Australian Open title and equal Rafael Nadal's 22 grand slam crowns.

But the Serb clung on to keep the set on serve and it went to a tiebreak, where his greater experience came to the fore. His trophy. Tsitsipas will climb one place to three. His court. His night. He earned his first break point — and set point — when Djokovic blasted a backhand wide.

Novak Djokovic lands a record-extending 10th Australian Open mens singles title to equal Rafael Nadals all-time record for most Grand Slam mens singles ...

The 24-year-old said: "Novak I don't know what to say, I think it speaks for itself what you have achieved so far. These are the matches I've been working my entire life for. I admire what you have done for our sport, I think you make me a better player. I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, made me feel comfortable to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia. Only my team and my family know what we've been through in the last four, five weeks. "There's a reason I've played my best tennis on this court.

Can Novak Djokovic achieve 25 singles Grand Slams in the men's game? Eurosport's John McEnroe thinks so, highlighting that Djokovic's GOAT rivals Rafael Nadal ...

"[His run] can keep on going," Henman said. It takes a lot of dedication. "He’s unbelievably resilient and is a tremendous asset to our game. Australian Open The 2023 Australian Open was live on Tears flow as Djokovic clinches 10th Australian Open title and 22nd Grand Slam

The result was familiar, the ease with which it was achieved somewhat of a surprise. The historic implications of this match certainly did not shackle Novak ...

The Serb looked towards his team and family members – his father Srdjan did not appear to be present – and pointed to his head and heart. When Tsitsipas hit a return long, the title for Djokovic was secured. Even as he returned to his seat on the court, Djokovic hid his face in a towel, the television cameras picking up the sound of his continued crying. That battle and debate is ongoing, and tennis is the benefactor. The Greek’s serve was under pressure from the get-go. Both Djokovic and Rafael Nadal now share the men’s record for major wins, while Djokovic becomes only the second man to win more than 10 titles at a single slam.

Djokovic defeated Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) to claim a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title.

Djokovic took a 4-1 lead in the first and after it was 4-all, pulled off the last three points. His 10th trophy in Australia adds to the record he already held. “I have to say this has been the most challenging tournament I have played in my life …

Serb equals Nadal record a year after Australia deportation and says: 'Only my team and family know what I have been through'

In the end we have a happy ending,” Djokovic said. After the final, Djokovic broke down in tears while embracing his team in his player box. Despite dealing with a hamstring issue since the start of the tournament, Djokovic dropped just one set in his seven matches.

A sublime 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas saw Novak Djokovic claim a record-extending 10th Australian Open title; the win also put ...

"I think in the end also what he told me is that it's important that I feel good on the court, I win the match, and he's here for me. I had a better opponent on the other side of the net who did things much better than me. In the end we have a happy ending." I still have a lot of motivation. I don't want to stop here, I feel great about my tennis. "I still have a lot of motivation.

Deported a year ago and unable to play in 2022's first Grand Slam tournament, Djokovic deeply felt this major title, his 22nd, calling it “a huge relief.”

A little more than a year ago, he and Ivanisevic were at Melbourne Airport, being escorted to their plane out of the country. 1 for the first time with a first major title, did not look quite as crestfallen as he did after losing a two-set lead to Djokovic in the 2021 French Open final. “I think tennis is in good hands with great characters, great personalities and great players, but we’re still not going anywhere.” He and Nadal, who won the Australian Open in Djokovic’s absence last year, are back in a tie with 22 Grand Slam singles titles apiece. Like Federer, whose wife Mirka’s support on the home front and on the road with their young children allowed him to compete successfully on tour into his late 30s, Djokovic’s wife, Jelena, is giving him the same flexibility with their young son and daughter. And however full circle it all felt in Melbourne on Sunday night, Djokovic is hardly done searching for more titles, more ways to win. But the reality for Tsitsipas is that Djokovic won that first Grand Slam title in 2008 in Melbourne at age 20 and won four more majors before he turned 25. Instead, whether he realized it or not, he tried to take a page on Sunday night from Djokovic’s early-career playbook: when the Serb was getting beaten repeatedly by more established champions like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic explained that his father had intended to celebrate with Serbian fans as he had been doing throughout the tournament. “Look, a lot of people doubted and still doubt that I was injured,” he said, explaining that he would provide evidence at some stage. “I would like to have a quieter life,” she said. With the Australian Open title and the No.

Novak Djokovic made history once again Sunday when he clinched a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

“It [was] just a huge pride and satisfaction that I feel at the moment,” Djokovic said. [Australian Open](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/australian-open/580/overview) title aged 20 in 2008 before he rose to No. “Then it was just a matter of survival every single match, trying to take it to the next round. “Of course, when I went into my box, I just think emotionally collapsed there and teared up with my mother and my brother, when I gave them a hug. Of course, it makes me incredibly proud, but it also is a huge relief because it hasn't been smooth sailing, so to say, on and off the court in the last three to four weeks.” [Novak Djokovic](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/novak-djokovic/d643/overview) made history once again Sunday when he clinched a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title at the [Australian Open](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/australian-open/580/overview). I don't have intentions to stop here. Of course, 35 is not 25, even though I want to believe it is. The Serbian produced a ruthless display to overcome [Stefanos Tsitsipas](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/stefanos-tsitsipas/te51/overview), rising to No. I really don't want to stop here. “I never really liked comparing myself to others, but of course it's a privilege to be part of the discussion as one of the greatest players of all time. If people see me this way, of course it's very flattering because I know that I give as much effort and energy into trying to win slams as anybody else.

Novak Djokovic touched his finger to his temple after winning the Australian Open from within his own vacuum.

And on the court of his nine previous victories, the court on which he was not allowed to play in 2022, he requested the applause that came. He touched his finger to his head – Marcus Rashford was still in school the first time Djokovic did that – and then to his heart. I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, made me feel comfortable to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia.” “I think it deserves a player like you that pushes everyone, every single player, every single individual that’s involved in the sport, to the max. But Tsitsipas, fight though he did, had not received the memo: Djokovic has not lost a single match in his 17 I think you make me a better player when I am on the court, so thank you.” Djokovic himself could not stop talking, motor-mouthing, a bit at himself but mostly at his box. He may as well be playing on the moon, a space suit shielding him from the outside environment; his own psychological extravehicular mobility unit. His father was not in attendance but his mother was, and Dijana buried her face in her hands as her son let fly two unforced errors and a double fault in one of the more tense tie-breaks to have been played. He has tornadoed through the rounds at Melbourne Park as if in a vacuum; his critics voiceless, his opponents faceless. The public, the media, even Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia have all spent the past two weeks examining the Serb with a level of suspicion reserved for one of sport’s most divisive figures. The point is more about the Djokovic response.

Novak Djokovic has now won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, tying him with Rafael Nadal for the most in men's tennis history. These two, along with 20-Slam ...

Unfortunate as that is for tennis fans, exile from the grueling North American hardcourt tennis might also help keep Djokovic stay fresh for the European clay court season—and, approaching 36, make the best possible effort to win Roland Garros for a third time. Winning a second Roland Garros title also took significant effort, Djokovic rallying from two sets to love down in the final to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas—whom he beat today in Melbourne—48 hours after he got past Nadal in a sparkling semifinal. The case can also be made for such Hoad compatriots as the remarkable Laver, and another great pressure player, the tactically adroit John Newcombe. The Serb’s three-Slam years have occurred a decade apart—in 2011, 2015 and 2021—the latter so successful that only a loss in the US Open final kept him from earning a calendar year Grand Slam. Agassi first reached a US Open final in 1990 and did so again in 2005. With players arriving fresher than ever thanks to improvements in and affordability of fitness training, the Australian Open began to blossom. Still, when it comes to evaluating greatness prior to the Open Era, including Laver’s ’62 sweep, the amateur-pro schism makes it difficult. 1, and 93 singles titles (one more than Nadal), a figure exceeded in the Open Era only by Connors (109), Federer (103) and Lendl (94). After all, prior to the start of Open tennis in 1968, numeric heft was hard to generate. The coming of Open tennis altered the landscape—but at first, only slightly. Yet insightful as raw data is, it’s by far the least sophisticated methodology in assessing greatness across eras, as tallying data fails to consider shifting evaluation criteria. First, if you’re looking for talk of the GOAT, you’ve come to the wrong place.

His coach says so. And, most importantly, his performances. throughout a draining run to a record-extending 10th Australian Open championship and record-tying ...

[Rafael Nadal](https://apnews.com/article/rafael-nadal-sports-health-tennis-melbourne-75cb3c83d5da747e51c245b52212605f) also has 22; Margaret Court, with 24, and Serena Williams, with 23, are the only players in history with more), but Djokovic just keeps applying constant pressure on opponents — regardless of the surface or any apparent obstacles in his way. I know that when I'm feeling good physically, (and) mentally present, I have a chance to win any Slam against anybody." I don't have intention to stop here," the 35-year-old Djokovic said after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas, a man more than a decade his junior, by a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) score in the final at Melbourne Park.

Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has an opportunity to assert himself as the GOAT of tennis and Aussie star Nick Kyrgios reckons the Federal ...

He will lead a crop of talented young players vying to stop Djokovic in grand slam events Great chance at the calendar slam this year IMO,' one fan posted. Djokovic has a record 10 Australian Open titles and has equaled Nadal on 22 grand slam trophies and still has plenty of petrol left in the tank to claim more With Federer retired and Nadal's career on the ropes, Djokovic now has clean air to claim a raft of grand slam titles as the next generation like Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud and Holger Rune develop their games. Kyrgios then went on to say that Djokovic will ultimately finish on a staggering number of grand slam wins to assert himself as the undisputed GOAT. [Australian Open](/sport/australian_open/index.html) champion and grand slam title equal-record holder [Novak Djokovic](/sport/novak_djokovic/index.html) has an opportunity to assert himself as the GOAT of tennis and Aussie star [Nick Kyrgios](/sport/nick_kyrgios/index.html) reckons the Federal Government might be what inspires it.

Novak Djokovic was saddened that his father was not courtside to see him win a 10th Australian Open title on Sunday.

He was happy to hug me, but I could see he was a bit sad. "It was not easy for him. Melbourne — Novak Djokovic said it "hurts him and me" after they decided that his father would not be courtside to see him win the Australian Open on Sunday, following a controversy over a Russian flag.

Novak Djokovic rightly claimed his 10th Australian Open and 22nd major title on Monday, but even he isn't denying the fact that circumstances played very ...

“I understand Julien’s point because sometimes it does seem that maybe certain players get more favoured year after year in certain tournaments. Djokovic, the World No. On the other side, you have to understand that Federer is a driving force of tennis in terms of revenue, in terms of attention. He put his own form up there with some of his most dominant seasons (2011 and 2015). Frenchman Julien Benneteau at the time caused a stir when he attacked Open officials when Federer was on a run of playing 12 out of 14 matches at night on Rod Laver Arena. To give Djokovic credit, he spoke out in support of Roger Federer when he was accused of the same treatment in Melbourne in 2018.

Novak Djokovic's dad was not in the stands to watch his son's Australian Open win over Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Djokovic addressed the importance his team have had on him, particularly over the past few weeks, after winning the title. Djokovic first shared a warm embrace with his mother before kissing and hugging his father. But cameras were still rolling inside Rod Laver Arena and caught Djokovic seeing his dad for the first time after his win. The 35-year-old was a picture of emotions as he celebrated with his team and family, collapsing to the floor in tears at one point. Tournament director Craig Tiley insisted Srdjan was not banned from returning to his usual seat alongside his wife for the Australian Open final. Djokovic's dad was embroiled in a political row this week after being filmed posing for pictures alongside a group of people donning pro-

Family might end up being the only thing that can stop tennis ace Novak Djokovic with the Serbian star admitting it is becoming harder to stay away from his ...

'Being absent from the children is not something that makes me very happy. Djokovic breaks down with his supporters after the Australian Open win that meant so so much after he was deported in 2022 and also banned form competing in the US Open He is the only player to spend 373 weeks as world No.1 on the ATP Tour and the only player to finish 7 years in the top spot. He is also the only male to win all Masters titles at least twice and joins Nadal as the only men to have won all four grand slams twice Djokovic roars after winning the 2023 Australian Open and reclaiming his mantle as the world's best tennis player - but the win was tinged with sadness Novak Djokovic opens up on the heartbreak of being away from his wife and children while he struggled through injury to win his 22nd grand slam title at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic fan seen brandishing controversial flag · Chetnik flag is seen as an 'ultra fascist symbol' to some · Tennis fans have slammed officials for ...

Among the Serbian flags there is a Russian flag, Putin, Z-symbol, so called Donetsk People Republic flag. 'I really think they need to make the 2024 #AusOpen a flag-free zone if their security repeatedly can't figure this stuff out. Are ultra fascist symbols allowed in the Australian Open now?' Sophie Mak asked.

When one of the Serb's strengths failed in Melbourne he still had so much more in his game than any of his opponents.

It remains to be seen how long Djokovic will be able to continue like this, but he is still entirely motivated, still moving so fluidly around the court, still relatively healthy even after a week of managing a hamstring injury. Carlos Alcaraz will return and Tsitsipas may well feel he has better chances on his favourite surface but most of all, Nadal should be back from his hip injury and ready to defend his turf. The opposition may not have been most impressive in Melbourne, but Djokovic and Nadal have been so far from the rest because of how brilliant they are. Djokovic’s backhand is one of the best strokes in the history of the sport and has won him many grand slams, yet in Melbourne it was actually off. Really probably the best two weeks of forehands that I ever saw him in his life. Throughout the tournament he was ultra-aggressive on the stroke and he struck it freely until the end.

At 35, Novak Djokovic is a year younger than great rival Rafael Nadal and except for hamstring trouble early on in Melbourne, he appears to be in excellent ...

The Grand Slam numbers don't lie. Soak it all in," Nick Kyrgios, beaten by Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last year, tweeted on Sunday. Last year it was his Covid vaccination status. It's unbelievable the level." Sat on my couch and enjoyed the entire show. Federer will always be the "people's champion" in the eyes of many because of the graceful way he played, but it is Djokovic who looks primed to pull away with the record number of men's major crowns.

The song “Muchachos” that references Messi, Maradona, and Argentina's hopes erupted into a viral song ever since Messi himself said on a TV channel that it ...

After winning his tenth title at the Australian Open on Sunday, the Melbourne King was invited to sing the famous song during his interaction with a journalist on ESPN Argentina channel. One of the best contents you will watch today 🤣 In a video that’s going viral on the internet, tennis star Novak Djokovic can be heard chanting the song “Muchachos” that made Argentina popular at the Qatar World Cup.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Nadal alone can match Djokovic's ability to tough out the most important points, which is how they have dominated into their ...

I signed in for Dubai - that is where I am supposed to play at the end of February. With Nadal out in the first week, Nick Kyrgios injured and Ash Barty retired, host broadcaster Channel Nine suffered a 40 per cent drop in viewers from the previous year. Cam Norrie has nudged up one, to 11. 'And then I hope I can play in Indian Wells. but a potential French Open showdown with Rafael Nadal could scupper those plans ‘As Michael Jordan used to say, people only remember the good times.

“I have lost a lot of matches, a lot of tough ones, finals of Grand Slams where I should have won but I didn't. But as Michael Jordan used to say, people only ...

“We talk about the young guys who are great for the future of tennis. “If Rafa steps on the court at the French Open, for me he's always the favourite to win the tournament. But he's the same like if you are the football coach of Real Madrid, you need to have the pressure. Djokovic, who missed the US Open because of his refusal to be vaccinated, said: “I hope I can play in Indian Wells. Nick Kyrgios tweeted “we created a monster” in reference to the Aussies booting out Djokovic last year as he predicted the Wimbledon champion would win 28 Grand Slams. [Novak Djokovic](/latest/novak-djokovic) has revealed he is inspired by Michael Jordan as he seeks to make another comeback from adversity in the USA in March.

"I have to say that this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I have played in my life, considering the circumstances," Djokovic said.

For almost two decades, we have become accustomed to Novak Djokovic winning grand slams. But seeing the world No. 1 sobbing on the floor as he celebrated ...

I don’t say 100%, but 97% of the players, on Saturday when you get results of the MRI, you go straight to the referee office and pull out of the tournament. Of course, 35 is not 25, even though I want to believe it is. I don’t have intention to stop here,” he said. In the end, we have a happy ending.” But he was throughout the entire tournament, so it’s fine. That was the whole conversation. “I could see that he’s a bit sad. “We both agreed it would probably be better that he is not there. “So it was not easy for him. Last year, Djokovic was unable to defend his title after being deported from the country over his Covid-19 vaccination status. The victory also returned him to the world No. 1 sobbing on the floor as he celebrated his [Australian Open victory](http://www.cnn.com/2023/01/28/tennis/novak-djokovic-stefanos-tsitsipas-australian-open-final-preview-spt-intl/index.html) with his family and team was a first.

The pair are part of tennis' Big Three and are now locked on 22 Grand Slam wins as the most ever for a male singles player and Rafael Nadal wasted no time ...

There is always a place for this wonderful trophy." I’ve managed to find a formula for success where I work to keep improving. "I work as hard as anyone else. The Serbian star is also on course to break Steffi Graf’s record for the most weeks ever as world No. It is like a balloon with no air. Australian Open

Novak Djokovic has returned to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings after winning his 22nd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

The 35-year-old Novak Djokovic rose four places to dislodge Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, who missed the tournament through injury and dropped to second.

Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) 1925 (+1) Cameron Norrie (GBR) 2760 (+1) Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 2995 (+1) Holger Rune (DEN) 3046 (+1) Taylor Fritz (USA) 3410 (+1) Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6195 (+1)

Novak Djokovic won a 10th Australian Open title in impressive fashion, but why is the new world No. 1 so hard to beat at the Grand Slam?

“At the beginning of his career, the serve was a weakness in his game,” explained Djokovic’s former coach Boris Becker. He finished the match with a first-serve win rate of 82%, and 62% on his second serve, against 51% from Tsitsipas. And on a court where even he admits he has built up a reputation for never being out. Yet if Djokovic’s mind was distracted at all by events off the court, it didn’t show in his performances. In the final Djokovic won 34 return points vs 22 for Tsitsipas. In the final Djokovic hit 14 groundstroke winners from his forehand side and only five from his backhand. Then you have to think on your feet and try and come up with a new plan, while also focusing on playing well enough to stay in the match against one of the greatest players of all time. But it’s not just Djokovic’s amazing athleticism and speed that have made him so hard to beat at the Australian Open, where he is now a 10-time champion and has won his last 28 matches in a row. But if Djokovic’s backhand was a weakness (statistically speaking) then the difficulty for opponents is getting to it. Over the course of the tournament Djokovic relied on his forehand far more than his backhand, hitting 111 winners from the former and just 38 on the backhand. He does everything right; pulls Djokovic across into the tramlines with his shot off the return and then drills a backhand down the line with his next. But perhaps with the previous shot and Djokovic’s immense retrieving skills in mind Tsitsipas puts a bit more on his forehand, looking to ensure this one doesn’t come back.

Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic now has loftier goals - including the 'untouchable' 50-year-old record set by the great Australian tennis star ...

Of course, 35 is not 25, even though I want to believe it is. He now hopes to win at least three more grand slam titles to overtake Margaret Court as the greatest of all time I don't have intention to stop here.' He is from other space. I really don't want to stop here. That's the case without a doubt.

The Serbian equalled Rafael Nadal's record of 22 Grand Slam titles by winning the Australian Open for the 10th time beating Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas in ...

This was Novak home court, and now we going next one to Rafa home court in this handball match of 22-22." The way he's taking care of his body, the way he approach about everything, the food, it's amazing. [Roger Federer](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/roger-federer) is also in the GOAT debate having won 20 Grand Slam titles and spent 310 weeks as world No.1 during his career which [ended last year](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/breaking-roger-federer-retires-tennis-28000407). "I've had the privilege to play a lot of high intensity matches. [Rafael Nadal](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/rafael-nadal) has also won 22 Grand Slam crowns including 14 [French Open](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/french-open) titles and will look to make it 15 victories at Roland Garros in May. It's been an unbelievable journey for you, I admire what you've done for sport and you make me a better player, so thank you."

If the debate is to be decided in terms of Grand Slam success, it now moves on to the French Open with Djokovic and Rafael Nadal tied with 22 titles.

One member of tennis royalty paid tribute to another on Monday as Rafael Nadal joined in the legions of stars celebrating Novak Djokovic in recognition of ...

[Wimbledon](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/wimbledon) (where he has seven titles) and the U.S. And he's already making up for lost time as he looks to eke ahead of Nadal and [Roger Federer](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/roger-federer) in majors accrued for the first time in his career. Open](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/us-open-tennis) last year. Even so, Nadal continues to prove himself a man of honour along the way, revelling in his rival's most recent feat ahead of a potential showdown in Paris. Not to mentioned 'Nole' ended his tournament with a streak of 14 consecutive sets won, playing arguably some of the best tennis of his career in the process. With injuries accumulating and retirement rumours ramping up, one imagines only a 15th French Open title would prevent Djokovic from snatching that lead this year. If there wasn't already a sense that Djokovic will soon become the outright king of the Grand Slams, his latest triumph in Melbourne only made it appear more inevitable. Djokovic, 35, applied the finishing touches to his majestic mauling of the competition in Melbourne, extending his own record tally with a 10th title Down Under. It was long suspected the new world No. But despite giving up vital ground in such an important race, Nadal proved magnanimous when he dedicated a post to his long-time rival. [tennis](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/) world would forgive [Rafael Nadal](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/rafael-nadal) for feeling some resentment at [Novak Djokovic](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/novak-djokovic)'s latest title at the [Australian Open](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/australian-open) on Sunday. [beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/novak-djokovic-wins-australian-open-29077681) to draw level with his major record.

Following his win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open final, Novak Djokovic spoke about people doubting his hamstring injury.

“But I obviously needed all of that, God made my path the way it should be. I have never experienced this situation before, to not practice on off days since the start of the tournament,” the10-time Australian Open champion said before adding, “There are certain things that I would have liked to work on in practice – at least half an hour, some patterns for my next opponent for instance. I wanted to in the last four or five days, but my team stopped me: they said ’no’ and I accepted it“.” I don’t want to sound pathetic; I won the trophy. I feel the need to show and prove certain things. “That fact speaks for itself, it says that the injury represented something that I needed to address in a proper way, so that I could recover for my next match. “It was very exhausting since the moment I came to Australia – started with injury, things with my father, a lot of things piled up,” he said. “He said it exactly – 97 percent? It was very exhausting since the moment I came to Australia – started with injury, things with my father, a lot of things piled up – Djokovic I am telling you this from the bottom of my heart – I have believed in God my whole life, I believe in guardian angels and I have felt their support more than any other time, talking about what I had to deal with when it comes to my body.” You will get to know everything in a few days time.” “I will go into more detail and publish some photos on social media about everything we went through.

Novak Djokovic was carrying a hamstring injury during his Australian Open title run.

Djokovic was overcome with emotion after finally realising his dream of a 10th Australian Open crown and the Grand Slam record, which he now shares with Nadal after catching the Spaniard’s 22 titles. “I’m going to do some medical check-ups in the next few days, then I’ll be able to talk about it a bit more and understand the situation,” he said during his trophy photoshoot in Melbourne. “I talked to a member of his team, getting closer to that final, he's adamant that hamstring is actually pretty bad,” the 33-year-old told Nine’s Today show after the final.

Djokovic's victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday earned him a 10th Australian Open title and drew him level with Rafael Nadal at the top of the all-time ...

In a best-case scenario, Nadal could return for the next big tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami in March, but may choose to stay off the match courts until his favoured clay. "Talking about the young guys, they're here, it's great for tennis, great for the future of tennis," he said. "I'm looking forward, honestly, for both of them to be super healthy, then the battle is there. I don't like to lose, I do everything I can to win every match that I play and there's still a lot of that fire in me that is burning for the sport, and for competition. Overall, it was a very positive experience and I'm very grateful for that. It's always something that I strive to achieve."