Djokovic wins Australian Open title and reaches 22nd career Grand Slam

Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas to win his 10th Australian Open title and tie Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam crowns on Sunday – a feat he called “the biggest win of my life”.

The Serb also returns to world #1, as he swept past the Greek third seed 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5) at the Rod Laver Arena.

After the win, the 35-year-old climbed to the players’ box to hug his mother and brother and burst into tears, falling to the ground sobbing.

His father, Srdjan, was missing from the audience after being previously filmed with a group of people holding Russian flags – one with an image of Vladimir Putin – following Djokovic’s quarter-final win, sparking controversy.

The victory over Tsitsipas concluded a remarkable return for Djokovic to Melbourne Park after being deported from Australia last year for not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

“I have to say this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played given the circumstances. I didn’t play last year and I’ll be back this year,” he said.

“I want to thank all the people who made me feel welcome, that I was comfortable, that I was in Melbourne, that I was in Australia.”

“I try to pinch myself and really live these moments. It’s a long journey,” Djokovic added.

“Only my team and family know what we’ve been through in the last four or five weeks, which is why I’d probably say it’s the biggest win of my life given the circumstances.”

After his three-year ban from Australia was lifted, Djokovic extended his unbeaten run in Melbourne to 28 matches, the longest tournament streak for a man in the Open era dating back to 1968.

He added his Melbourne trophy number 10 to seven from Wimbledon, three from the US Open and two at the French Open, tying his rival Nadal for the most by a man in tennis history.

Margaret Court, at 24, Serena Williams, 23, and Steffi Graf, 22, have the most wives.

This was also Djokovic’s 93rd tour-level ATP title, allowing the 35-year-old from Serbia to break a tie with Nadal for fourth most titles. Jimmy Connors still holds that record at 109.

Djokovic competed in his 33rd major final, Tsitsipas in his second.

He was superior against the Greek throughout the game, especially in the two tiebreaks.

Djokovic took a 4-1 lead in the first inning and after it was tied at 4, he grabbed three runs in a row.

He then led 5–0 in the final tiebreak. After winning the match point, he pointed to his temple, climbed into the stands, clenched his fist and jumped along with his coach Goran Ivanisevic and other entourage members, and collapsed overjoyed.