Izuchukwu Okosi
Novak Djokovic on Sunday in Melbourne won the 2023 Australian Open after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) in the men’s, singles final.
The victory means the Serb has won his 10th Australian Open title as he equals Rafael Nadal’s men’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe 35-year-old dropped just one set all tournament despite saying he feared a left hamstring problem might force him to withdraw, and he finished with a superb win over first-time Melbourne finalist Tsitsipas in a searing sun.
Djokovic has thus reclaimed the title that he was unable to defend the previous year due to his deportation from Australia as a result of a dispute regarding his Covid-19 immunisation status.
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Djokovic also becomes the fifth player to win 22 Grand Slam singles titles, after Margaret Court (24), Serena Williams (23), Steffi Graf and Nadal (both 22).
“Novak, I don’t know what to say – I think it speaks for itself what you have achieved so far.
“It’s all in the numbers, congratulations,”Tsitsipas said.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey for you, I admire what you’ve done for our sport and I think you make me a better player when you’re on the court, so thank you.
“These are the matches I’ve been working my entire life for, he’s one of the greatest in our sport, and I think he is the greatest who has ever held a tennis racket.”
The Serbian’s reputation in Australia, meanwhile, is unsurpassed as he has not lost at Melbourne Park since 2018.
The king of the courts has now won his 28th straight Australian Open match and his 41st straight in the nation as a whole.
Djokovic, who draws level with Rafael Nadal in major wins, will now return to the world number one ranking to be released on Monday morning.
Tsitsipas lost to Djokovic in his first major final at the 2021 French Open after relinquishing a two-set lead, and he continues his wait for a first Grand Slam title.
Most Grand Slam singles titles (all time)
Margaret Court – 24
Serena Williams – 23
Novak Djokovic – 22
Steffi Graf – 22
Rafael Nadal – 22
Roger Federer – 20
Helen Wills Moody – 19
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
