Novak Djokovic exclusive after sealing 10th Australian Open triumph: 'One of most important wins in my life'
:focal(178x132:180x130)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/04/03/3673848-74785904-310-310.jpg)
Published 29/01/2023 at 14:58 GMT
After hearing Novak Djokovic's exclusive interview with Eurosport's Barbara Schett following his victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday, you are left with absolutely no doubt just what it meant to the Serb to triumph for the 10th time at Melbourne Park. Djokovic spoke about how he would value his remarkable 22nd Grand Slam singles title among his other wins.
'One of most important wins in my life' - Djokovic exclusive interview after Aus Open glory
Novak Djokovic has told Eurosport that sealing his 10th Australian Open title with his straight-sets victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday was "one of the top two or three most important victories I have had ever".
The 35-year-old stormed to a stunning victory with a dominant display as he came through, 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5), to seal a men's record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam singles title and draw level with his long-time rival, Rafael Nadal.
For Tsitsipas, it was another crushing disappointment at the business end of a Grand Slam as he still seeks his maiden triumph at a major, but he still provided the Serb with a very tough battle in plenty of long, testing exchanges.
Djokovic may not have had to come through one of his longer Grand Slam finals to secure glory on this occasion, but he admitted that it was actually an incredibly challenging and important title for him in the context of his illustrious career.
"Everything on the spectrum from the best to the worst I’ve experienced in the last few weeks," Djokovic told Eurosport's Barbara Schett after his latest triumph at Melbourne Park.
"This is one of the top two or three most important victories I have had ever, considering the circumstances, after what happened last year and stuff happening off the court.
"It required a lot, mentally, to keep it together, so I feel a big release now. It is like a balloon with no air. It is over, and I am going to enjoy it.
"I work as hard as anyone else. I’ve managed to find a formula for success where I work to keep improving. That is the only way to progress. If you stagnate, you risk going backwards.
"The mentality and willpower are always there. It all came to fruition in the last couple of weeks. There is always a place for this wonderful trophy."
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/01/29/3538151-72110188-2560-1440.png)
Australian Open highlights - Djokovic downs Tsitsipas to seal 10th title at Melbourne Park
Referring to his branded jacket that had the number 22 on, he said: "I don’t know when the jacket was printed, I had no clue about it.
"Maybe some people won’t believe me. I took the other jacket for the ceremony, but my team told me to put this one on."
Talking in his on-court victory speech a few moments before, Djokovic gave some inspirational words for young fans when considering what he and Tsitsipas had both overcome in becoming professional players from Serbia and Greece, respectively.
"This has been one of the most challenging tournaments in my life, considering what happened last year," he said.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/01/29/3538071-72108593-2560-1440.jpg)
'Dream big because you can make it' - Djokovic gives inspiring speech after 10th Aus Open title
"There is a reason why I’ve played my best tennis in Australia. I try to pinch myself and live through these moments. This is probably the biggest victory of my life, considering the circumstances.
"I would like to finish by commenting on Greece and Serbia. We are two small countries with no real tennis tradition. We didn’t have players to look up to, who reached these heights.
"The message for any young tennis player around the world, dreaming to be here where Stefanos and I are: dream big and don’t let anybody take away your dream.
"It doesn’t matter where you come from. The more disadvantaged your childhood, the stronger you become. Stefanos and I are proof of that. Nurture it, water it like you’d water a flower. You can make it."
- - -
The 2023 Australian Open was live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/2774.png)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/6944.png)