“Only my family and my team know what I have had to go through. It's the biggest win of my career considering the circumstances. Last year I couldn't play and I came back this year, thanks to all the people who make me feel comfortable in Melbourne”.
Novak Djokovic had literally collapsed with emotion, sealing his victory against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final that gave him his tenth title at the Australian Open, which also allowed him to reach Rafael Nadal in Grand Slam trophies (22). and recover the 1st of the ATP ranking.
At 35, the Serbian maintains his undefeated 2023 season, in which he had already won the ATP title in Adelaide.
Perhaps that is why he collapsed when he went to hug his family and his coaching staff
, who in the box inside the stadium put on a shirt alluding to the ten titles won in the first Grand Slam of the season.
A while later, she got back up, it was difficult for her to reach her chair, she grabbed a towel and burst into tears again: her sobbing could even be heard through the ambient microphones.
What caused the Serb's tears and his words during the award ceremony to value what he had achieved minutes before?
Truly to a combo of situations
.
A little over a year ago he
was deported from Australia for not being vaccinated against Covid-19
and saw on television how Nadal took his favorite tournament and achieved the record for men's tennis greats, later expanded at Roland Garros.
Champion at Wimbledon and absent from the US Open also due to not being vaccinated, 'Nole' arrived in Melbourne as a great favourite, but his path was not easy:
an injury to his left leg in the previous days almost removed him from the tournament and he made it difficult the first week
.
Recovered from pain and with sublime tennis in the round of 16 and quarterfinals, it was
the turn of the controversy
: first, doubts about whether he had
faked the injury
, then some images of his father with fans with pro-Russian symbols that made him unable to be present in situ the semifinal and the final.
Released after Tsitsipas returned the last ball of the match long (6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), Djokovic dropped into 'his' blue court, went up to the box to hug his family and, hiding between the chairs, he let out an inconsolable cry that continued when he returned to his chair.
"This has been one of the most challenging tournaments I've played in my life considering the circumstances: not playing last year, coming back this year. I want to thank everyone who made me feel welcome," he
said with his tenth trophy among the hands and with the number 22 printed on his jacket.
"This is probably the biggest victory in my life considering the circumstances
," completed Djokovic, who has yet to lose a final in Australia.
A forehand from the Balkan over the line confirmed that, as the president of Tennis Australia said at the ceremony,
"the king of Melbourne has returned"
.
And for some, his reign encompasses much more: equalized in Grand Slam titles with Rafael Nadal -two above the retired Roger Federer-, and with the record of weeks as number one in the ATP,
the debate about whether he is the best of times are heating up
.
"He is one of the best in our sport
," Tsitsipas acknowledged cautiously.
But under pressure from the stands, with numerous Serbs, the Greek opened up:
"And I think he is the best to have held a tennis racket
. "
With information from AFP
look too
Novak Djokovic, in Olympus: he swept Tsitsipas at the Australian Open, caught up with Nadal and took 1 in the ranking
Australian Open: Djokovic, with his head in the final, faced the controversy with his father
Djokovic and Tsitsipas will animate a historic final, with the number 1 at stake
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