Novak Djokovic won his 10th Australian Open men’s singles title – and his men’s record tying 22nd major singles title – after a straight-set victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
The Serb defeated Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) in two hours and 56 minutes, also ensuring his return to No. 1 ATP world ranking.
The 24-year-old Tsitsipas missed the chance to move to the top of the world rankings for the first time in his career, and the Greek was denied his chance to win his first major singles title.
Djokovic’s win comes one year from when he was deported from Australia due to his non-vaccinated status against COVID-19.
“This probably is the, I would say, biggest victory of my life,” Djokovic said, overcoming the adversity over the last 18-months due to his vaccination status that has prevented him from playing last year’s Australian and U.S. Opens.
“I want to say this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played in my life, considering the circumstances. Not playing last year; coming back this year,” said Djokovic, who also overcame a leg injury in the middle of the tournament, but was none-the-less devastating against his opposition. “And I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, made me feel comfortable, to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia.”
The 35-year-old Djokovic stretched his unbeaten streak in Melbourne to 28 matches, the longest run there in the Open era, which dates to 1968. He adds trophy No. 10 to the seven from Wimbledon, three from the U.S. Open — where he also was absent last year because of no coronavirus shots — and two from the French Open, to match rival Rafael Nadal for the most by a man.
Only two women — Margaret Court, with 24, and Serena Williams, with 23 — are ahead of him.
This was also the 93rd ATP Tour-level title for Djokovic, breaking a tie with Nadal for the fourth most.
