Novak Djokovic claims 10th Australian Open, 22nd Slam

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):

Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) to claim his 10th Australian Open championship and record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title today at the Rod Laver Arena in Australia.

Novak Djokovic climbed into the stands to celebrate and, after jumping and pumping his fists with his team, he collapsed onto his back, crying. When he returned to the playing surface, Djokovic sat on his sideline bench, buried his face in a white towel and sobbed some more.

This trip to Australia was far more successful than that of a year ago — when he was deported because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19 — although difficult in its own ways: a bad hamstring; some off-court tumult involving his father. Yet Djokovic accomplished all he could have possibly wanted in his return: He resumed his winning ways at Melbourne Park and made it back to the top of tennis, declaring: “This probably is the, I would say, biggest victory of my life.”

Only briefly challenged in the final, Djokovic was simply better at the most crucial moments and will vault from No 5 to No 1 in the ATP rankings, a spot he already has held for more weeks than any other man.

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