Reaction and analysis
Here’s Tumaini Carayol’s report from Melbourne Park.
“Ten is the magic number,” says Todd Woodbridge, reminding that Djokovic is also the world no 1 again after his win. Ken Rosewall hands over the trophy.
Good evening, I have to say I am touched by Stefanos’ words. Thanks for being so kind and respectful. I congratulate you on an amazing tournament. This is definitely not your last grand slam. You have lots of time, more than me. I have said you are interesting and I still think you are very interesting. We are small countries that don’t have a tennis tradition. The message for any young tennis player around the world who is dreaming of being where Stefanos and I are: dream big. It doesn’t matter where you are coming from.
[To his team]Why are you laughing Goran?…. This trophy is as much yours as it is mine.
This has been one of the most difficult tournaments, considering the circumstances. not playing last year, coming back this year. I want to thank all the people who made me feel comfortable. There is a reason I have been playing my best tennis here.
Only the team and my family know what we have been through. I would say this is the biggest victory in my life, considering the circumstances.
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Tsitsipas comes to collect his loser’s gong. He looks disappointed, desperately so but the crowd show their appreciation.
I don’t know what to say but it speaks for itself. It’s all in the numbers. You make me a better player when I am on the court. I have had the privilege to play a lot of high intensity game but these are the matches I have been working my entire life for. He’s one of the greatest in our sport…. He’s the greatest who ever held a tennis racket.
Djokovic smiles at that last compliment, and head bowed, readies himself to speak.
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Djokovic has wiped away his tears and now looks steadfast as he listens to the Tennis Australia suits go through their spiel, as there’s some guff about the sponsorship. This all reminds of attending a Town Hall meeting. All very corporate.
Todd Woodbridge is leading the ceremonials again, as he did for the women’s final. Presenting the trophy will be the legendary Ken Rosewall, looking good for 88, as immaculate as ever, the winner of eight slams, over a span from 1953 to 1974.
The all-time grand slam count is:
Nadal: 22
Djokovic: 22
Federer: 20
Sampras: 14
Emerson: 12
Laver: 11
Borg: 11
Tilden: 10
The French and Wimbledon will be happening soon enough. How much does Nadal have in the tank for Roland Garros? Djokovic seems unstoppable everywhere else.
After last year’s farrago, whatever its rights and wrongs, this is a huge win for Djokovic. In Australia, he is unstoppable aside from when the border guards get involved. There are tears, he’s in bits, sobbing into his towel on his chair.
This year, the controversy has continued, though of a more political hue, but still he cannot be stopped winning. Tsitsipas was playing against someone who had so much destiny, vindication and experience on his side. There was very little he could do to answer that.
Here’s the winning point, and the champion, too.
🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 CHAMPION 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆@DjokerNole has mastered Melbourne for a TENTH time!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/ZThnTrIXdt
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
KING OF MELBOURNE 👑 @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/myM619PTVN
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023
Djokovic is the champion, beating Tsitsipas 6-3 7-6 7-6
Skidding serve lands Djokovic a 1-0 lead. A big forehand on Tsitsipas’ second serve makes it 2-0. Then 3-0 when Tsitsipas goes long. And 4-0 from that unbeatable serve. And 5-0 comes soon, too as Tsitsipas nets.
Two more points to go. There’s some disquiet at 5-1 as Djokovic shanks wide and he did look disturbed by a shout from the crowd. Tsitsipas makes it 2-5, but Djokovic will serve next. And 3-5 when he wins the longest rally of the match and Djokovic can’t convert the volley. Then comes match point after another lengthy, animalistic rally, a forehand blasted home. Three match points.
The yahoos delay the big moment, and Djokovic misses his return for 4-6, and then it’s 5-6 as Tsitsipas chases down his own serve and clatters one into the back of beyond. But it’s ten, and 22 slams as Djokovic edges the line with a forehand that Tsitsipas cannot return.
Djokovic can begin his climb to join Goran and co. The party starts now.
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Tsitsipas* 3-6 6-7 6-6 Djokovic
Big, big rally, full of big, big shots and the umpire almost laughs as she calls out the 15-0 scoreline. Big serve from Tsitsipas but Djokovic lands a foothold at 30-15. Another huge serve, an ace. But at 40-30, Djokovic clings on as they both hit the limit in keeping the ball alive. Big serve – again – and here comes the tie-breaker.
Tsitsipas 3-6 6-7 5-6 *Djokovic
At the second overhead of asking, Djokovic clatters home for 15-0. He gets to 40-0 with ease, and that’s 16 unanswered points on his own serve. Brutal. Make it 17. It’s tie-break or bust for Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas* 3-6 6-7 5-5 Djokovic
For a man staring down the barrel, Tsitsipas holds up well on the first two points, before Djokovic crunches a forehand for 30-15. And then Tsitsipas’ backhand lets him down for 30-30. Two points from glory. Except Tsitsipas sends a service return down for a winner and then serves out. Djokovic is made to wait by a most gutsy hold.
Tsitsipas 3-6 6-7 4-5 *Djokovic
Yes, as expected, Djojovic’s serve holds up, even under a heavy barrage from Tsitsipas. But errors are being forced, and Tsitsipas is being asked to play beyond his limit to win points. On Djokovic’s serve, he currently has few answers, 13 points won in succession on the man going for ten titles. He’s a break from getting there.
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Tsitsipas* 3-6 6-7 4-4 Djokovic
This is where it gets perilous for Tsitsipas, Or could do, he serves out to love. A tie-breaker surely beckons. They are both serving like demons.
Tsitsipas 3-6 6-7 3-4 *Djokovic
Skidding serve from Djokovic gets him underway, and he serves out to love, despite some big hitting from Tsitsipas. The pressure is on the Greek, not the man chasing down 22 grand slam. Djokjovic has lost just two points on his serve since that opening break.
Tsitsipas* 3-6 6-7 3-3 Djokovic
Tsitsipas wins a mighty rally, reading Djokovic’s volley to go 30-0 up. Lots of noise, but then gasps at a double fault, his third of the match. No problem, a swatting backhand clatters down the line. And a big service hold. Aren’t they all?
Tsitsipas 3-6 6-7 2-3 *Djokovic
A smile on Goran’s face as his boy steps it up? Less a smile than an eyebrow raised. Djokovic holds to love, finishing the job with his own falling-leaf drop shot.
Tsitsipas* 3-6 6-7 2-2 Djokovic
An ace for 30-30 is timely for Tsitsipas, and he manages to hold. He’s hanging on grimly. But hanging on nonetheless.
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Tsitsipas 3-6 6-7 1-2 *Djokovic
Djokovic, chasing destiny, will not be letting his chance of a 22nd slam go by without the fight of Tsitsipas’ life. He serves out to keep the scoreboard in his favour. By the end of 2023 he wants to go beyond Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams’ 23, too.
Tsitsipas* 3-6 6-7 1-1 Djokovic
Tsitsipas lands a falling leaf of a drop shot. The type that a Michael Chang or Andre Agassi would have been proud of. Delicacy unseen so far. Tsitsipas looks confident, Djokovic is still muttering at Goran. Which seems brave.
Still, at 30-30, opportunity knocks, and a break-back point comes along as Tsitsipas misses a forehand. That’s saved as the Greek comes to the net. Djokovic is relentless, and forces another. And one he claims when Tsitsipas is bludgeoned into a forehand error. It was fun while it lasted for Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas 3-6 6-7 1-0 *Djokovic
At last, Djokovic is broken, and rather easily.
A seven-minute break, and the Djokovic serve does still seem to be taking an age. He’s bouncing the ball for an age. Tsitsipas gets to 15-30, and then makes a complaint about an advertising board being too bright. Still, he lands two break points. The first is passed up by a shanked baseline backhand. The second sees him land his prize. Hello, hello.
Djokovic wins the second-set tiebreaker, leads 2-0 on sets
Tsitsipas 3-6 6-7 *Djokovic
Tsitsipas goes long on the first point. But he at least wins a mighty rally for 1-1, eventually slam-dunking home. Huge roars from the crowd. A clubbing forehand takes it to 2-1 to Djokovic. A grimace from Tsitsipas at another miss for 3-1 to Djok. And another as a low service return cannot be looped over the net. 4-1 is a commanding lead and Djokovic has two serves to come. Though it’s 4-2 when Tsitsipas seizes on a second serve and Djokovic can’t help but make an error.
The Djokovic serve seems hesitant and a double fault arrives after a lengthy bouncing of the ball. 4-3, he leads, but not for long. 4-4 after a huge Tsit serve. But Djokovic, playing for his life, for history, forces an Tsitsipas mistake. A local larrikin was shouting during that point, and another starts up at the next. Flinders Park has become like snooker’s one-frame shootout for its laddy bantz.
Djokovic is presented with two set points after another Tsitsipas error, of which there have been far too many for him to prevail. The first is taken with glee, and that’s a huge, two-set lead.
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Tsitsipas 3-6 6-6 *Djokovic
Tamara gets in touch: “What are Djokovic and Ivanisevic arguing about? So bizarre. Like Kyrgios yelling at his team at Wimbledon.” I just don’t know. It’s proper tennis brat stuff.
At 40-0 up, Djokovic commits his first double fault. And he eventually serves out, and a tiebreak awaits, a huge one.
Tsitsipas* 3-6 6-5 Djokovic
More Djok complaints to Goran & co. They’re not playing, from what I understand so whose fault is this? Tsitsipas, to his credit, serves out to love. Big big big hold. The pressure goes back on the Djokovic serve.
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Tsitsipas 3-6 5-5 *Djokovic
Djokovic is annoyed with himself when making a mess of a baseliner he would normally nail. And at 15-30, once again, the Greek fans get going. Djokovic doesn’t let the noise get to him and tempts Tsitsipas into a mishit for 30-30. But suddenly a set point is offered up by a mighty miss from Djokovic. Hello? Djokovic misses his first serve, and after a mighty rally, zings a forehand beyond his opponent. Then comes some chestbeating as Djokovic claims game point at deuce. It’s aimed at his coaching box. And then Tsitsipas, with court at his mercy, misses a chance for a winner. The set point came and went.
Tsitsipas* 3-6 5-4 Djokovic
Djokovic last lost from two sets down up at a slam in 2010. So this set is vital, and Tsitsipas needs it so badly. A crashing forehand and a big serve takes him to 30-0 up. Then comes an ace, but he’s pegged back to 40-30, before serving out. A break in the next game and the match is on.
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Tsitsipas 3-6 4-4 *Djokovic
There’s a telling exchange between Djokovic and Goran Ivanisevic before the break. Goran seems to be telling his man to calm down. Meanwhile, the lilting Star Wars music that usually accompanies Princess Leia is playing. For some reason.
15-30, another chance for Tsitsipas. But he is a little unlucky as the ball spins off a net cord, and he goes long in a hurried, scooped backhand. And then, just as he seems to have Djokovic on the run, he misses a volley at the net. It was a Hail Mary return from Djok but Tsitsipas couldn’t live with it. And Djokovic serves out.
Tsitsipas* 3-6 4-3 Djokovic
Another 15-30 on the Tsit serve. He takes his time over his serve, and then misses the first serve. And then for 30-30, he sends Djokovic sprawling, and the great man takes a while to get up. He’s fine to continue but maybe a sign of the younger man having the greater fitness.
Tsitsipas, at the second time of asking, drills a forehand home from the net for 40-30. And then, an error, as he misses a volley at the net. Deuce. Still, he lands a winner right on the line for advantage after another big-hitting rally, and then makes Djokovic miss a stop volley at the net. Another big hold, though they are all big holds at this point.
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Tsitsipas 3-6 3-3 *Djokovic
Djokovic’s brilliance and longevity lies in his solidity, and just as Tsitsipas fancies a way back in, he serves out rather comfortably.
Tsitsipas* 3-6 3-2 Djokovic
Darkness descends for the Greek as Djokovic make it to 15-30, but a big roar from Tsitsipas after his opponent misses the line. A big serve is followed by a Henman-like fist pump, though no blowing of the hands like Tim did. Then a double fault is untimely, to say the least. A decent second serve hands him the advantage at deuce. A forehand winner lets in light for the Tsitsipas supporters. Their man isn’t giving up without a fight and Djokovic isn’t quite as dominant as he was before. Still, a long road ahead.
Tsitsipas 3-6 2-2 *Djokovic
A glimmer for Tsitsipas at 15-30 after two Djokovic errors. Hello? Goodbye. Djokovic wins a rally where Tsitsipas, somewhere down the Yarra River by the end of the point, is forced into repeated saver shots. Djokovic’s serve claims the next point, and the next.
Tsitsipas* 3-6 2-1 Djokovic
As expected, Google Translate let me down and Bojan Bura steps in: “Hi John, desetina means one tenth (1/10), the tenth title is deseta titula in Serbian.”
A better service game from Tsitsipas, his forehand becoming a better weapon and sending Djok all over the court. Get him sent all over the show, twang his hammy and the job’s done, right? A love hold is most welcome.
Tsitsipas 3-6 1-1 *Djokovic
Djokovic is unrelenting on his own serve. Three serves and 40-0 arrives, a clubbing baseline forehand and the job is done.
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Tsitsipas* 3-6 1-0 Djokovic
Tsitsipas needs to avoid an early break in the second set. And he does so, which will come as some relief.
Djokovic takes the first set 6-3
Tsitsipas 3-6 *Djokovic
Tsitsipas does some running repairs on his sneakers after going 30-0 down. Are they box fresh? Or does that lead to blisters? It seems to work and Djokovic exasperates when missing from the baseline on the next point. But two set points arrive soon enough. Only one needed.
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Tsitsipas* 3-5 Djokovic
Djokovic gets his sums wrong in going for a backhand scoop and ends up smashing into the net. Tsitsipas then makes his own error. Big serve makes it 30-15. Another big serve for 40-15. This one is served out well. At least the serve has begun to click for Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas 2-5 *Djokovic
Big cheers as Djokovic hits the ball out, and it’s 30-15. Djokovic punches the ball long for 40-15. And that’s game, and a mountain to climb for Tsitsipas.
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Tsitsipas* 2-4 Djokovic
Incidentally, La Decima (the tenth) is desetina (десетина) in Serbian. Well, according to Google Translate so am prepared to be corrected. Tsitsipas aces for 30-30 as he again looks in danger of being broken. Then Djokovic is pushed into an error for 40-30 to big chants from the Greek contingent. An ace gets the job done. It’s rowdy.
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Tsitsipas 1-4 *Djokovic
Not even the trolling from the crowd is putting off the nine-time champ. Though he is taken to 40-30 after a miscue that gets the brayers all excited. A dart to the net and a top-spun winner gets the job done. Djokovic is in full control of the set.
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Tsitsipas* 1-3 Djokovic
An early break. A mighty rally sees Tsitsipas drive home a volley for 15-15 but winning every point is a struggle at the moment. Djokovic wins the next lengthy exchange, and gets another break point chance. It’s surrendered too easily, via a double fault.
Tsitsipas 1-2 *Djokovic
A love hold for Djokovic. Nice and easy, too easy.
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Tsitsipas* 1-1 Djokovic
A hold, eventually. Big rally on the first game and just as he seems to have Djokovic on the run, he smashes a forehand into the net cord. And then skies a forehand to go 0-30 down. Oh dear. Big serve and a first ace. 15-30. Better. Then a backhand goes out for two break points. Real power from both players but Tsitsipas has the lesser control. The first is saved by a skidding first serve. The second sees Djokovic go long after a short rally. Next, Djokovic nets to hand Tsitsipas an advantage, and then a big serve. Relief for the Greek but a long long long road ahead.
Tsitsipas 0-1 *Djokovic
Big roar as we get underway, and there is no Djokovic Senior in the stand for reasons widely known. The large bandage that Djok has carried all fortnight is not visible though there may be some taping. Djokovic takes the first point when his second serve skids up and Tsitsipas fails to find the line with his return. Lots of yahoos in the crowd making noise but Djokovic gets to 40-0 with calm before shanking a backhand wide. The forehand is more trusty and he drills home to take the first game with some comfort.
One game in and umpire Louise Azemar Engzell has had to quieten the crowd three times already. Can be fairly sure that is going to happen quite a lot more...#AusOpen
— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) January 29, 2023
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The two players meet at the net and begin their knock-up. Both look relaxed enough as they go through their routines. Djokovic has chosen to serve first.
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It’s cloudy and a little moist in Melbourne but the players take to a Rod Laver Arena with an open roof, Tsitsipas first, Greeks flags waving, and the Serbian contingent receives their man with gusto.
Backstage footage shows Tsitsipas on a running machine, getting loosened up for what could be the night of his life. Can Djokovic’s hamstring hold up? A week ago that was the big question against him.
Tumaini Carayol is our man in Melbourne.
While Tsitsipas won two of their first three matches, both on outdoor hardcourts, the rest of their encounters have been lopsided. Djokovic has won nine matches in succession against him since 2019 and holds a 10-2 record. The Serb knows how to expose Tsitsipas’s glaring weaknesses. When he finds a rhythm on serve, the Greek’s return of serve can be exposed and Djokovic can usually count on exploiting Tsitsipas’s backhand in the advantage court with his superior backhand.
What a tournament it’s been, so here’s the best images from the last fortnight in Melbourne.
Preamble
If Novak Djokovic plays like he has been since last weekend then we are looking at a pushover. This could be the one that takes him level with Nadal. And everyone knows it. Stefanos Tsitsipas is meanwhile looking for his first slam, having lost in 2021 to Djokovic in the French Open final. His talent has been apparent for years now but like so many of his generation he has failed to live with the giants of the game.
He also has a problem with Djokovic, to whom he has lost the last nine times they have met, having won two of the first three they have met. Only Jannik Sinner and Karen Khachanov have taken sets off him while Djokovic has only dropped one, to Enzo Couacaud in the second round. They’ve been the best two best players on show in Melbourne but only one of them has chance to make himself the greatest of all time. The other must pull off one of the greatest shocks of all time.
