Djokovic defeated Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) to win his 22nd Grand Slam title, equaling Rafael Nadal’s all-time record.
Novak Djokovic won his 10th Australian Open and record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final at Rod Laver Arena.
The Serbian star dropped just one set in the entire tournament, despite saying he feared a left hamstring problem might force him to retire, and finished with a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 victory (5) compared to first-time Australian Open finalist Tsitsipas on Sunday.
As a result of winning the first Grand Slam of the year, Djokovic also took over the world number one ranking from Carlos Alcaraz.
The 35-year-old did not compete at the Australian Open a year ago after being deported from the country for not having been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Government restrictions have since been eased and this time he was able to get a visa despite still not being vaccinated against COVID.
“I have to say that this was the most challenging tournament I played in my life… I didn’t play last year, I came back this year,” Djokovic said after the match. “Only the team and the family know what we’ve been through in the last four or five weeks.”
Now Đoković has extended his winning streak in hard court tournaments to 28 matches.
His tenth trophy in Australia adds to the record he already held. His 22 major championships – which include seven at Wimbledon, three at the US Open and two at the French Open – are tied with Rafael Nadal for the most by one man in tennis history.
With a significant Greek and Serbian community in Melbourne and Rod Laver in attendance, the atmosphere was boisterous.
Djokovic entered the match with his confidence high after winning all nine of his previous Australian Open finals and holding a 10-2 career advantage over the Greek.
He was dominant against Tsitsipas, but especially in the two tiebreaks.
Djokovic led 4-1 in the first, and after it was 4-all, he drew the last three points. He led 5-0 in the final tiebreak and, when it was over, pointed to his temple, then climbed into the stands, pumped his fist and jumped with his coach Goran Ivanisevic and other members of his entourage, before collapsing, crying.
“This trophy is as much yours as it is mine.”@DjokerNole gives credit to his team.#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/LAA7MlKrT3
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
Djokovic returned to the court, sat on his side bench, buried his face in a white towel and shed a few more tears.
For women, the most titles are held by Margaret Court with 24, Serena Williams with 23 and Steffi Graf with 22.
This was also Djokovic’s 93rd ATP Tour title, allowing him to break a tie with Nadal for fourth place. Jimmy Connors holds that mark, with 109.
Djokovic was in his 33rd major final, Tsitsipas in his second – the 24-year-old’s second also ended in defeat to Djokovic, at the 2021 French Open.