First he risked losing him, then he won it for the eighth time in his career. A Novak Djokovic of a thousand lives conquered the Australian Open by overcoming the Austrian Dominik Thiem in five sets at the end of a four-hour marathon with a score of 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4. For the Serbian, who will return n.1 of the world tomorrow by ousting Rafa Nadal, this is the 8th affirmation in Melbourne, where he has never lost in the final, and the 17th Slam, which brings him closer to Roger Federer (20 Major) and Rafa Nadal (19). Curiosity: the Serbian also becomes the first male tennis player to win a Slam in three different decades in the Open era. Nothing to do instead for Dominic Thiem who has also won four of the last five challenges with the Serbian: after the two consecutive finals lost to Roland Garros, he also sees the third Slam final of his career fade away.
To see the first major won by a player born in the 90s you will have to wait, at least until Paris, 'Fab 3' permitting. The 26-year-old from Wiener Neustadt cannot be said that he has not tried and indeed at some point he also gave the impression of being able to do it: forward two sets to one with his broadside straight from the baseline, he seemed there to do raising the white flag to Djokovic who in the previous seven finals played in Melbourne had never found himself having to reassemble and moreover with a physical condition that was beginning to cause concern, also considering the entry into the field of the physiotherapist. But when he seemed on the brink, Djokovic rose again and with a break in the eighth game he won the fourth set, dragging the opponent, who took the hit, to the fifth. Suddenly, as often happens in tennis, the wind has changed, Djokovic has melted, returning to move better, while Thiem began to feel all the weight of the moment. So, for the third time in a row a Slam final goes to the fifth set.
Where the two, however, arrive with a different psychophysical condition: the Serbian manages the energies, does not raise the pace and with the back often seeks the backhand of Thiem who gradually loses security and rings many free fouls with his best shot. It is therefore normal that at the beginning of the 5th set he loses the service, without then taking advantage immediately after the only counterbreak offered by the opponent. It ends in glory for the Serbian who thus conquers his 17th Slam, the thirteenth in a row won by one of the Fab 3. Then it is the time of applause but also of emotion, not only for the victory, but for the friend Kobe Bryant who it's gone: he does it wearing the sweatshirt with the initials of the ex NBA champion and the numbers 8 and 24. "2020 started badly - his words receiving the cup - Fires, wars, deaths every day. And then also my friend Kobe Bryant, a person to whom I was very close, who left us tragically. I hope this serves as a warning to be united, with the family and with the people we love. We sportsmen play, but there are more things important around ".