MELBOURNE: After nearly three hours of action at the Rod Laver Arena, Novak Djokovic’s inside out forehand nailed the final. The fourth seed turned to his box and pointed at his head before tapping his heart.
It summed up the defiant charge to a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam crown and the la decima of Australian Open titles. And as a bonus on Monday, the Serb begins his 374th week as the world No. 1.
These numbers point at dizzying peaks, but don’t tell the tale behind the tears. And if anything, Sunday of the dark skies, a windy strain and a burst of rain was about the story.
After Djokovic’s 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) win over the third-seeded Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 35-year-old rushed to his box. He climbed the courtside scaffoldings and exhaled, a shout that echoed across Melbourne Park.
Djokovic then hugged his team and family, his mother and brother, who he hugged tight, before sinking to the floor and weeping uncontrollably. His retribution for what transpired 12 months ago, days spent in a detention centre before he was deported for his vaccine stand.
On a chilly evening, the crowds were all over Melbourne Park, on the outside courts, before the big screens. While the Greek had his share of supporters, it looked like every one of the 30,000 Serbians living in the state of Victoria had converged here to cheer their champion and he didn’t disappoint them.
Tsitsipas, who not only started slowly but appeared to be all over the place tactically, applauded the ten-time champion.
“I admire you for what you’ve done for our sport,” the Greek said. “You make me a better player. You are one of the greatest of our sport and pushes players to the maximum.”
Djokovic’s corner, including his mother Dijana and brother Marco, were kitted in newly minted tees that said ’22’. Their man in the middle had also pulled on a jacket that had ’22’ embroidered in gold.
Djokovic, acknowledging Tsitsipas’ compliment, took over the microphone with the same energy with which he controlled the court.
“Greece and Serbia are two small countries without much of a tennis tradition, players who have reached these heights,” Djokovic said, drawing parallels. “I want to tell young players to dream big, anything is possible, it doesn’t matter where you come from. The more difficulties and challenges you have, the stronger you become. Stefanos and I are proof of that.”
Djokovic, cradling the Norman Brookes Trophy in his arms, said, “There is a reason why I have always played my best tennis herein Australia. Here on the Rod Laver Arena before the great Rod Laver, thank you, sir, for being here this evening.”
“Only my family and team know what we have been through (these last 12 months),” said the new world No. 1 who took home $A2,975,000. “This title has been the most challenging in my life, not playing last year, coming back this year… Considering this situation, this is my biggest victory.”
Tsitsipas, who broke in the opening game of the third set, bringing some cheer to Greek fans, was richer by $26,907,000 for the fortnight that belonged to the Serb.
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