Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas - LIVE: Australian Open result as emotional Djokovic wins 22nd grand slam
Follow live reaction as Djokovic triumphed 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 over Tsitsipas to equal Rafael Nadal’s men’s singles grand slam titles record
Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to win a 10th Australian Open and move level with Rafael Nadal on a men’s record 22 grand slam titles.
The Serbian was deported from Australia 12 months ago amid a political storm over his exemption for the Covid vaccine, but has made a triumphant return to the court with a historic victory on Rod Laver Arena.
The 35-year-old defeated Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 in just under three hours to maintain his perfect record in Australian Open finals. Djokovic has now won all 10 of his showpiece appearances in Melbourne and extends his winning streak at Melbourne Park to 28 matches.
It also moves Djokovic level with Nadal in the grand slam race, after the Spaniard edged ahead by winning the Australian Open in Djokovic’s absence and the French Open to reach a men’s record 22 titles.
Follow live reaction from the Australian Open men’s final, below:
Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Australian Open
“The king of Melbourne Park is back” - the trophy presentation is underway, with Djokovic wearing a jacket with ‘22’ on it. All his team have ‘10’ shirts on, too.
Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Australian Open
Unbelievable scenes - unprecedented for Djokovic. The trophy ceremony will take place next.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! NOVAK DJOKOVIC WINS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN!
Djokovic points to his head after winning match point and there is a warm embrace with Tsitsipas at the net.
The emotion from there is extraordinary. Djokovic goes to his box and roars. He climbs up to meet his family and coaches, and breaks down into tears.
I cannot remember seeing this level of emotion from Djokovic before. He falls onto his back and is completely overcome.
As he goes back to his seat courtside he sobs into his towel. Huge, gulping sobs. It has to do with everything he went through last year, with the deportation from Australia.
He returned this year with a single goal - and he has now achieved it.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! NOVAK DJOKOVIC WINS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN!
10 Australian Opens!
22 grand slam titles!
Back to World No 1!
Djokovic has done it. What a comeback to Melbourne.
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-6 6-6 Stefanos Tsitsipas - Tiebreak!
Tsitsipas finds the first serve. Djokovic nets on the stretch. 5-2
What a rally - but it’s Tsitsipas who prevails! Brilliant crosscourt exchange from both players. Tsitsipas attacks with the angled backhand, and Djokovic can’t return with the volley. 5-3.
Sublime from Djokovic! He attacks again, forcing Tsitsipas to retreat behind the baseline, before powering the forehand winner. 6-3
Championship point! Lots of noise still in the crowd.
Djokovic pulls the backhand off the Tsitsipas serve. One saved. 6-4.
Tsitsipas again! First serve in, and the Greek puts away the forehand! 6-5.
One more Championship point!
Djokovic clips the line with the forehand crosscourt, Tsitsipas goes long!
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-6 6-6 Stefanos Tsitsipas - Tiebreak!
Djokovic gets off to the quick start, continuing his run on serve. 1-0
And then Djokovic attacks the Tsitsipas second serve! Inside out forehand winner, off the return, stunning! 2-0
Tsitsipas with the forehand error, it’s like the second set tiebreak is repeating itself! 3-0
Djokovic with great depth to the Tsitsipas backhand, and the Greek almost gives up on the chipped return. 4-0
Tsitsipas with the backhand into the net - Djokovic moves two points away. 5-0
There’s lots of noise in the crowd, Djokovic with the backhand slice that drifts wide. Djokovic looks up but he’s got a big lead. 5-1
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-6 6-6 Stefanos Tsitsipas - Tiebreak!
Here we go: Tsitsipas serving to stay in the match. The Greek makes a good start on serve, but then Djokovic presses with depth to the Tsitsipas forehand.
Ace out wide from Tsitsipas.
40-15: Djokovic snaps the return and although Tsitsipas makes a sublime pick-up, he fires long.
Ace again! Another tiebreak...
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-6 6-5 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Djokovic gets to 16 points in a row on serve, to get to 40-0.
Make that 17, as his serve out wide is parried into the net by Tsitsipas.
That’s four games in a row without dropping a point on serve.
Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-6 5-5 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Djokovic grinds down Tsitsipas on the baseline duel and gets to 30-30 on the Greek’s serve - just two points away from the the title.
Tsitsipas finds a first serve and puts away the forehand winner. Ace from Tsitsipas! Good hold.
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-6 5-4 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Djokovic has dropped just two points on serve since he was broken at the start of the third. He holds to love for the third game in a row, helped by a couple of brilliant winners. The 35-year-old senses that he is almost there.
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