

It’s probably a bad idea to bet against his taking that record from Federer, as he has so many others. In addition to gaining pole position to surge past the injured star Nadal on the career Grand Slam list - and in the GOAT debate - Djokovic also reclaimed the top spot in the world rankings, making him, at 35, the second-oldest player to reach that rarefied realm, behind only Roger Federer, who was nearly 37 during his last stint on top of the tennis world. 22 just under the right side of his collarbone and called this triumph “the biggest victory of my life.” He wore a jacket emblazoned with a bright No. He pointed to his head, his heart and then just below his waistband, letting the world in on his team’s code language and telling it that winning on Sunday took everything he had. To show the world that the only way to keep him from winning nearly any tennis tournament is to not let him play.Ī year after Australia deported him over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19, Djokovic reclaimed the Grand Slam title he has won more than any other, capturing a record 10th championship at the Australian Open by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), on Sunday.Īfter one last forehand off Tsitsipas’s racket floated long to end a match that felt lopsided despite the two tiebreakers, Djokovic turned and stared at his family and coaches sitting in his box. To remove any doubt anyone might have about whether he remains the world’s dominant player, the most commanding player of the last decade and now this one, too. To win a 22nd Grand Slam men’s singles title and draw even with his rival Rafael Nadal at the top of that list. To win the championship he had won nine times once more. MELBOURNE, Australia - Novak Djokovic came to Australia with a mission, or, really, a series of them.
