Novak Djokovic downs Stefanos Tsitsipas in Australian Open final to join Rafael Nadal on 22 Grand Slam titles

ByBen Snowball

Updated 29/01/2023 at 13:55 GMT

10 finals. 10 titles. Novak Djokovic’s supremacy at the Australian Open hit double figures as he downed Stefanos Tsitsipas for a 22nd major triumph, drawing him level with his great rival Rafael Nadal. Despite some rowdy spectators making it difficult for both players, Djokovic was exceptional in the big moments to clinch the trophy. He will return to world No. 1 when the ATP rankings are updated.

An emotional Novak Djokovic joined Rafael Nadal on 22 Grand Slam titles after a stylish victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas secured an unmatched 10th Australian Open crown.

Djokovic was pushed by his Greek rival, particularly in a thrilling second set, but was superior in the big points as he came through 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5) for a record-equalling major in the men’s game. Only Serena Williams (23) has won more in the Open Era.

The Serb climbed into his player box amid wild celebrations before collapsing in tears as the enormity of his achievement sunk in. The 35-year-old was back in Australia for the first time since his deportation on the eve of last year’s tournament, while he has also battled a hamstring injury and had the added stress of a high-profile incident involving his father.

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"This has been one of the most challenging tournaments in my life, considering what happened last year," said Djokovic in his post-match speech, just moments after being heralded as the "greatest to have ever held a racquet" by Tsitsipas.

"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."

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Both players stepped onto Rod Laver Arena chasing the additional carrot of the world No. 1 ranking with the incumbent Carlos Alcaraz missing the tournament through injury.

Djokovic had lost the first set in his previous four major finals – including against Tsitsipas in their Roland-Garros showdown in 2021 – but he looked in a hurry as he dominated the opener.

The strapping that had accompanied his left hamstring throughout the tournament was absent for the first time, with the Serb moving beautifully on the baseline as he created a string of openings. Tsitsipas’ serve had been a key ally on his run to a maiden Melbourne final but, against arguably the greatest returner in history, one of his main weapons was repeatedly nullified.

Djokovic earned two break points on his first look and although his rival stepped up for a statement hold from 15-40, the resistance did not last long. An untimely double-fault on break point handed Djokovic a 3-1 lead, with the Serb unerring on his own serve as he raced through the opening set in 38 minutes.

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Eurosport expert Tim Henman concluded simply that Tsitsipas had "just got to play better", with the Greek ace struggling to get onto his favoured forehand wing and often missing wildly when he did.

But back-to-back love holds at the start of the second hinted at a revival as Tsitsipas' groundstrokes started packing more punch. After getting back to 30-30 in his third service game of the set, Tsitsipas let out his first enormous roar of the final as his player box got increasingly involved.

It took until the sixth game of the second set for Tsitsipas to have the lead in a Djokovic service game – and although 0-15 was quickly snuffed out by the Serb, the opportunities soon started to come.

After a fortuitous net cord had helped Djokovic wriggle out of trouble for 4-4, Tsitsipas earned his first break point of the match – and, crucially, a first set point – when a straightforward backhand from his opponent found the tramlines. The umpire pleaded for silence as a chunk of the boisterous crowd cheered a missed first serve, but it only seemed to inspire Djokovic as he sent down a monster forehand winner for deuce. Two points later, it was 5-5 and the set was heading for a tie-break.

'He's greatest that's ever held a tennis racquet' - Tsitsipas honours Djokovic in speech

Tsitsipas’ forehand miss-o-meter started to whir ominously as Djokovic moved 4-1 ahead in the breaker. Although Tsitsipas fought back for 4-4, aided by a Djokovic double-fault, further errors saw Djokovic take a two-set lead. No. 10 - and No. 22 - beckoned.

Djokovic began the third set with a double-fault as Tsitsipas finally cracked his opponent’s serve. But as Djokovic has done so often in his career, he immediately went on the offensive after adversity and broke straight back – earning the opportunity with some outrageous defence that saw him contort his frame into a shape that would snap mere mortals.

From that moment on, both players delivered a serving masterclass – including 17 straight points from the Djokovic racquet – as the set went to another tie-break.

The crowd were becoming increasingly restless as Djokovic raced into a 5-0 lead in the breaker, with the Serb briefly spinning round to glare at a noisy offender after an untimely shout contributed to Tsitsipas finally getting on the board. Tsitsipas fought back magnificently to 5-3, and then 6-5, but Djokovic got over the line to spark perhaps the most emotional celebrations of his career.

"I would like to finish by commenting on Greece and Serbia," added Djokovic.

"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, don’t let anybody take away your dream.

"It doesn’t matter where you come from. The more disadvantaged 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."

'I could easily see him winning at least three more' - McEnroe on Djokovic's Grand Slam tally

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The 2023 Australian Open was live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk

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