After the Australian Open victory, Novak Djokovic is aiming for records for eternity. He sends a declaration of war to his rivals Nadal and Alcaraz. But his start at the US tournaments is in jeopardy.
In the green polo shirt, Novak Djokovic proudly posed with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup behind a huge 10. Ten titles at the Australian Open – the Rod Laver Arena has finally become the Serb’s tennis living room. And that’s just a year after Djokovic was expelled from the country for not being vaccinated against the coronavirus. “From the deported to the dominant,” wrote the British “Daily Mail” aptly.
For his coach Goran Ivanisevic, Djokovic is tennis’ Real Madrid personified and, like the Spanish football club, the Serb’s hunger for the title is insatiable. “Winning as many slams as possible is the biggest motivation to keep playing,” said Djokovic after his 22nd major triumph at the Australian Open on Sunday: “I have no intention of stopping here. I feel great with my tennis , physically good and mentally strong. I have a chance to win against any opponent in every Grand Slam.”
That should have been a challenge to Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, who have high hopes for the title at the French Open in four months on sand. Both Spaniards could not stop Djokovic in Melbourne: The 35-year-old replaced Alcaraz, who was absent due to injury, as number one in the world, and he drew level with Nadal, who was injured in the second round, after Grand Slam triumphs.
praise from the competition
It will be exciting to see if and how the Spanish duo can challenge Djokovic this year. After his final victory against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, both of them congratulated politely. “Very well deserved,” commented the 36-year-old Nadal on Instagram and wrote of a “great success”. “Enjoy the moment,” said Nadal. Last year’s winner has to pause for several weeks after his second round at the Australian Open due to a muscle injury in the hip flexor.
Alcaraz congratulated Djokovic on the “very well deserved” success. Swiss Roger Federer, who resigned last year, also expressed his admiration for the “incredible effort”. When it comes to the hotly debated question among fans about the best tennis player in history, more and more speaks for Djokovic. He doesn’t like to compare himself to others, but being part of this discussion “flatters me,” said the Serb.
Djokovic will “never be as popular” as Nadal and Federer, wrote the “Sydney Morning Herald”. “But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t respect his record. A hero is only as good as his villain, but Djokovic is the villain who runs out of heroes. If not an aging Nadal, who’s going to stop him?”
Records in sight
For his coach Goran Ivanisevic there is no doubt that Djokovic has overtaken all other stars. 97 percent of the players would have “withdrawn” from a thigh injury like the one his protégé brought to the Australian Open, said the former Wimbledon winner: “But not him, he’s from a different species.” Coaching Djokovic is “training like Real Madrid”, the Croat compared, “There is always pressure. Only titles count, only records count”.
Djokovic could also soon break another record: After returning to the top position, the men’s record holder is going into his 374th week as the world number one and could soon catch up with Steffi Graf, who was at the top for women for 377 weeks.
Djokovic made his peace with Australia, which had expelled him from the country last year because of an invalidated exemption. But his refusal to vaccinate could now cost him the start at the ATP tournaments in March in Indian Wells and Miami. In the USA, full corona vaccination is still an entry requirement. For Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas, it would be “a shame” if Djokovic couldn’t start because of that. The German ex-professional hopes for an exemption.
International press comments on Djokovic’s success
Serbia:
“blic”: “God’s racket. Novak Djokovic triumphed in his performance in Australia.”
“sportal.blic.rs”: “The king returns to the throne: Novak has destroyed the Greek’s dream and is back number 1 in the ATP world rankings. (…) For Novak, this means the path to another record, because now he’s second in the all-time world rankings at 374 weeks.(…) He only needs three more weeks to break the all-time record for the number of weeks spent in first place in the world rankings, currently held by Steffi Graf lasts 377 weeks.”
“kurir”: “Especially now. Exactly one year after his ordeal and deportation, “Nole” conquered Australia and became the best tennis player in history. The Serbian ace defeated Tsitsipas and triumphed at the Australian Open for the tenth time.”
Australia:
“Sydney Morning Herald”: “He will never be as aesthetically pleasing as Federer, who approached a tennis match as if it were something to frame and hang in an art gallery. He will never be as admirable as Nadal, who recovered from his injuries without bravely playing through a lot of fuss instead of using them for psychological games with his opponent.(…) And Djokovic will never be as popular as the two.(…) But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t respect his record. A hero is only as good as his villain, but Djokovic is the villain who runs out of heroes. If not an aging Nadal, who’s going to stop him?”
“The Australian”: “This was a Djokovic like we’ve never seen before. The raw emotions of Novak Djokovic, often thought of as a robot, offered an amazing insight into how deeply he was affected by the events of the past year .”
“The Guardian”: “As with so many tournament victories, this triumph is a special reminder of how complete and foolproof Djokovic’s game is. (…) It remains to be seen how long Djokovic can continue like this, but he is still fully motivated, moved still feels so fluid on the court and is still relatively healthy after a week with a hamstring injury. His actual level of tennis is the least of his problems, rather how long he’s been able to keep up with it mentally and whether he can have a balanced life off the court.”
“The Age”: “Ten out of ten, Novak Djokovic. The great Serb has played ten finals of the Australian Open and won each of them. (…). That has now re-established him as No. 1 in the world. He was moral it anyway.”
Spain:
“As”: “There was no better rematch than winning the Australian Open again, his fetish tournament, before the applause of the same citizens who disapproved of his behavior a year ago.”
“Marca”: “Everything has changed for Novak Djokovic in 378 days. After being expelled in Melbourne a year ago, he has now lifted the Norman Brookes Trophy for the tenth time in his career, which made him the Confirmed as champion of the Australian Open for the tenth time.”
“El País”: “Djokovic redeems himself in his paradise and draws level with Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam victories. The Serb rounds off an impeccable tournament against Tsitsipas and creates his tenth title in Melbourne, which also makes him number one again on the racetrack.”
Great Britain:
“Daily Mail”: “From deportee to dominant. An emotional Novak Djokovic equals Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam wins by winning his tenth Australian Open crown.”
“The Sun”: “The guy who was rudely thrown out of Melbourne by customs officials without ever touching a ball will this time leave the country a celebrated hero and not an outlaw.”
“The Guardian”: “A crying Novak Djokovic celebrates the “biggest win” of his life at the Australian Open.”
Italy:
“La Gazzetta dello Sport”: “Djokovic, tears and rebirth. That’s how a circle has closed in Melbourne.”
“Corriere dello Sport”: “Novak Djokovic is writing tennis history again. The Serb dominates in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas and wins the Australian Open again.”
France:
“L’Équipe”: “Here’s Novak Djokovic again on the roof of the world. With a total of 22 trophies, he joins Rafael Nadal on the summit of the Grand Slam.”
Austria:
“Kronen Zeitung”: “Novak Djokovic is crowned King of Australia.”
Switzerland:
“Blick”: “A year ago, Novak Djokovic was excluded from the Australian Open with shame and disgrace. Now the Serb crowned his return with his tenth title in Melbourne. A great satisfaction for the “Djoker”.”