Melbourne, 30 January 2023 (TDI): For the 22nd time in his career, Novak Djokovic, a Serbian professional tennis player, is a Grand Slam champion. He defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2023 Australian Open final 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5).
The victory in Melbourne means that Djokovic matches Rafael Nadal’s – a Spanish professional tennis player – record of 22 Grand Slam Champion.
Djokovic celebrated his victory after winning the match point and stated, This is one of the most challenging tournaments that I have ever played in my life”.
The Serbian player was in control of the match from the very beginning, breaking the Greek early in the first set to race into an early 3-1 lead.
The second set was much more evenly contested, as Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek professional tennis player, did not give up. The Greek even had a set point on Djokovic’s serve.
However, he could not take it as Djokovic struck a perfect forehand at a decisive moment, eventually taking the set to a tiebreak, which he won 7-4. Djokovic won the first five points of the tiebreak, eventually winning it 7-5 off a powerful serve.
Djokovic matches Nadal on 22 Grand Slam Champion
With this win, Djokovic has now pulled level with Rafael Nadal on 22 Grand Slam Champion during their careers, which is a joint record and ahead of Roger Federer’s 20.
Although Nadal suffered an injury in Australia this winter, he hoped to win once again at Roland-Garros while Djokovic will be the favorite when Wimbledon comes around.
Also Read: Rafael Nadal makes history in Australian Open final
By the time these two legends finally retire, the Grand Slam record might be even higher than the 22 that it is now.
However, the historic achievement triggered an outpouring of emotion from Djokovic as he climbed into his player box to share a tear-filled moment with his team.
Likewise, celebrations also erupted among the sea of Serbian flags in Melbourne Park’s Garden Square. Also, Djokovic being the Grand Slam champion sealed his return to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time since last June.
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