MELBOURNE, 30 Jan 2023:
Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets yesterday to win a record-extending 10th Australian Open title and equal Rafael Nadal’s all-time record of 22 men’s singles Grand Slam titles.
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam title on Saturday after a thrilling 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina.
For the men’s competition, the 4th-seeded Serb’s victory never really looked in doubt – as he dominated the first set (6-3) before holding his nerve during two tie-breaks to take the second and third sets against the third-seeded Greek.
The win sees Djokovic return to number one in the world rankings, while Tsitsipas’ wait for a major title continues.
The Greek lost to Djokovic in the 2021 French Open final after squandering a two-set lead, but he never looked likely to prevail yesterday.
Djokovic’s 28th consecutive win in Melbourne – a run stretching back to 2018 – means he has retaken the title that he could not defend last year after he was deported from Australia because of his coronavirus vaccination status.
In the post-match trophy ceremony, Tsitsipas praised Djokovic for “pushing our sport so far”.
“Novak, I don’t know what to say. It speaks for itself what you have achieved so far. It’s all in the numbers.”
Djokovic, for his part, thanked his opponent “for being so kind and respectful”.
“I congratulate you on an amazing tournament. Tough luck tonight. This will not be your last Grand Slam final, you have a lot of time.
“This is the biggest victory of my life.”
For the women’s competition, Sabalenka was overcome with emotion after finally converting her fourth championship point during a nervy conclusion to the match, as wayward serving – so often her downfall during her career so far – threatened to derail her bid to win her first major singles trophy.
But the fifth-seeded Belarussian, known for her aggressive style, stuck to her guns throughout a hugely entertaining final – hitting 16 aces as she beat the 23-year-old Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion after coming from a set down.
“I want to congratulate Elena for an incredible two weeks,” Sabalenka said during the trophy presentation. “I hope we have many more battles and hopefully in finals of Grand Slams.”
The victory sees Sabalenka, who had not dropped a set in the tournament until the final, rise to second in the WTA rankings on the back of an unbeaten, 11-match run this season that also saw her win in Adelaide.
Rybakina, meanwhile, more than played her part in a memorable final, consistently challenging her more athletic and powerful opponent with composure and an aggressive ground game.
“I would like to congratulate Aryna on the title and a great start to the season. I know how hard you have worked for that and your team,” the Kazakh star said.
Rybakina is widely expected to regularly feature on at the business end of major tournaments for years to come, having already won Wimbledon last year and defeating three Grand Slam winners en route to the final in Melbourne Park.
– EFE
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