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Preview: Novak Djokovic will be eyeing an unprecedented 10th Australian Open crown and a record-levelling 22nd Grand Slam win when he takes on Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2023 Australian Open men’s singles final on Sunday. A victory at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday will also complete a dream comeback for the Serbian superstar who had been deported from Australia last year ahead of the tournament for his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Tsitsipas, meanwhile, will be eyeing his maiden Grand Slam victory on Sunday, his runner-up finish at the 2021 French Open being the best result of his career so far. Against a rampaging Djokovic, who started off on a shaky note with hamstring issues before returning to his dominating ways, it will be quite the Herculean task, especially since Djokovic is currently on a 27-match unbeaten run in the tournament. Additionally, the winner of this game also moves to the top of the ATP rankings. Djokovic comfortably leads the head-to-head record against Tsitsipas 10-2, the Greek’s having last beaten Djokovic in 2019. This will, however, be the first time the two square off at the Australian Open. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
Australian Open 2023 Men's Final Highlights: Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win 10th Australian Open crown
Australian Open 2023 Men’s Final Highlights: Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) to win his 10th Australian Open title as well as his 22nd Grand Slam win
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That brings us to the end of our coverage of the 2023 Australian Open men’s singles final, with Novak Djokovic powering his way to a 10th Australian Open title and a 22nd Grand Slam win in the end! And the way he’s motoring along at the moment, despite being in his mid-30s. Though still a few months away, Djokovic might just be thinking about the French Open and outpacing Nadal in the Slam count already.
A big thank you to everyone who tuned in to our live coverage today. On behalf of my colleagues at Firstpost, especially to our man in Melbourne Tanuj Lakhina, this is Amit Banerjee signing off, wishing you all a good day ahead!
King for a reason
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2023 champion:
First of all I have to say, touched by Stefanos’ words. Thank you so much for being so kind and respectful. On the court we’re fierce competitors, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t respect each other. I acknowledge your effort and congratulate you on an amazing tournament. Like to also congratulate your team. You are one of the most professional tennis players on the tour, and I still think you are very interesting. I would just like to finish off by commenting something about Greece and Serbia. We are relatively two small countries that don’t have tennis tradition, we don’t have too many greats to look up to. The message really for any young tennis player who is watching this now and dreaming to be where Stefanos and I am — dream big, doesn’t matter where you are coming from. I think the more disadvantaged childhood you have, the stronger you become. Stefanos and I are proof of that. Don’t really let anybody take away your dream away from you. What a journey it has been for my family and for myself. I know you are tolerating some of the worst sides of my character and I thank you for your patience. This trophy is yours as much as it is mine, so thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support. I have to say this has been one of the most challenging tournaments of my life, considering the circumstances. Not playing last year and coming back this yer. I want to thank all the people who made me feel welcome and comfortable. There’s a reason why I have played some of my best tennis here. Thank you to the legendary Rod Laver. My family knows what we’ve been through in the last four or five weeks, and I’d say this is the biggest victory of my life.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, Australian Open 2023 runner-up
Novak, I don’t know what to say. It speaks for itself, your numbers. It’s been an unbelievable journey. I admire what you’ve done for sport. You make me a better player. I’ve had the privilege to play a lot of high-intensity matches, and Novak brings the best out of me. He’s one of the greatest in the sport. He’s the greatest that has ever held the tennis racquet. I’d like to thank you for pushing the sport so far. I’m always willing to go back to the court and work hard, and I’d like to thank my team. I’m happy that I have a group of supportive people around me, people who share the same goals. I’d also like to thank the great fans because they make me feel at home. Last, but not the least, coming back to Australia always brings back great memories.
Australian Open 2023 LIVE
The presentation ceremony is underway at the Rod Laver Arena, where Ken Rosewell will be presenting the glittering Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.
A two-horse race
No-Le gets a fairytale finish to the Australian deportation saga after all!
Djoker’s overcome with emotion after the dramatic victory!
2023 Australian Open LIVE
Novak Djokovic points at his head as the Tsitsipas shot goes long and goes up to his box and is in tears. You can see how much this means to him. Mother, brother, coaches all sitting there and Novak is just sobbing away.
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
Australian Open 2023 Live Score
Novak Djokovic is the 2023 Australian Open champion, winner here for the 10th time and collects his 22nd major title to go level with Rafael Nadal.
He will return to World No 1 tomorrow for a 374th week
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
Australian Open 2023 LIVE
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 6(4)-7, 6(5)-7 Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is now a 10-time Australian Open champion! And with his straight-sets victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Rod Laver Arena, the Serbian superstar also goes level with Rafael Nadal for most Grand Slam titles among male players (22).
2023 Australian Open LIVE Score
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 6(4)-7, 6-6 Novak Djokovic
The see-saw battle continues as Tsitsipas battles on to take the third set into a tiebreak! Will that merely delay Djokovic’s 10th title? Or can Stefanos produce a comeback for the ages from this point, as unlikely as it may sound?
2023 Australian Open LIVE
Stat: Since being broken at the start of the third set, Novak Djokovic has dropped just two points on serve with four straight love holds.
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
Australian Open 2023 Live Score
Serving to stay in the match, Stefanos Tsitsipas takes a 30-0 lead and then Djokovic comes back to make it 30-30. He then plays two confident points to hold. Only delaying the inevitable, is he?
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
Australian Open 2023 LIVE
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 6(4)-7, 4-5 Novak Djokovic
Just a couple of hits away from a record-levelling 22nd Grand Slam victory, is Novak Djokovic! Can he break Tsitsipas one last time in this edition of the year’s first Grand Slam to seal the deal?
Djokovic vs Tsitsipas LIVE Score
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 6(4)-7, 4-4 Novak Djokovic
Tsitsipas, fighting for his life at the moment, dishes out a series of fiery serves and winners to hold to love and draw level at four-all. It’s turning out to be a see-saw contest in the third set at the moment, and Tsitsipas certainly has played his heart out in the last two sets after going down 3-6 in the first.
An occasion to remember for the organisers
Djokovic vs Tsitsipas Australian Open Final LIVE
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 6(4)-7, 2-3 Novak Djokovic
Tsitsipas goes level at 2-2, only for Djokovic to surge ahead by holding to love. Halfway there as far as winning in straight sets is concerned.
And a 35-year-old at that!
2023 Australian Open LIVE Score
Stefanos Tsitsipas breaks Novak Djokovic to open the third set but is immediately broken back. Tsitsipas had an opening, the very few afforded to players by Djokovic at Australian Open, and he’s let it pass. Novak goes on to hold and is 2-1 up
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
2023 Australian Open LIVE
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 6(4)-7, 1-2 Novak Djokovic
Djokovic’s serve is broken for the first time in the final as Tsitsipas grabs the lead at the start of the third set. The Serb, however, fights back to draw level in the second. Djokovic commits a couple of errors in the third game after going 40-love up, but finds the winner sooner rather than later.
Australian Open 2023 Live Score
A rather poor tiebreak by both players with shanks galore but it is Novak Djokovic who seizes the opportunity to go two sets up. He is now one set away from a 10th Australian Open title
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
Australian Open 2023 LIVE
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 6-7 (4-7) Novak Djokovic
Djokovic goes 4-1 up in the tie break, only for Tsitsipas to show heart and go level by winning three points in a row. No-Le however, regains his composure and reels off three points in a row to win the tiebreak and claim the second set as well!
Djokovic vs Tsitsipas LIVE Score
Djokovic leads 4-2 at the change of ends in the second set tiebreak. He nets the backhand but Tsitsipas has handed him points this tiebreaker
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
Djokovic vs Tsitsipas Australian Open Final LIVE
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 6-6 Novak Djokovic
We’re in for a tie-breaker in the second set! Tsitsipas holds his serve to love to go 6-5, and manages to claw back to 30-40 in the next game, only to falter in the end.
2023 Australian Open LIVE Score
Novak Djokovic saves a set point to keep the second set going at 5-5 but he’s not pleased with some in the crowd chiming in mid-way into the point.
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
Australian Open 2023 Live Score
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 5-5 Novak Djokovic
Djokovic fires a backhand shot marginally wide to give Tsitsipas a set point. He then holds his serve to take the game to deuce. A forehand winner gives Djokovic the advantage, which is followed by a forehand from Tsitsipas that goes wide, allowing No-Le to go level.
Australian Open 2023 LIVE
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 5-4 Novak Djokovic
Tsitsipas is just one game away from sealing the second set and drawling level with Djokovic in the grand finale!
Djokovic vs Tsitsipas LIVE Score
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 4-3 Novak Djokovic
Djokovic tumbles while running to his left in the seventh game, allowing Tsitsipas to go 30-all and taking some time to get up. Will have had his team as well as his supporters in the stands a bit worried with his fall. He’s back on his feet in the end and his charge towards a record-tying Grand Slam win continues.
Djokovic vs Tsitsipas Australian Open Final LIVE
Novak Djokovic chatting with his box and having a little back and forth after being pushed on the backhand and taking a tumble. Tsitsipas holds after being taken to deuce and the crowd is pumped up for the Greek to turn things around
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
Djokovic supporters would’ve had their hearts in their mouth for a second there
2023 Australian Open LIVE Score
Stefanos Tsitsipas is trying his absolute best and playing far better than the first set. More aggressive, getting the forehand to do a lot of the talking and mixing things up with drop shots. Getting the crowd involved too – who are responding resoundingly
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
2023 Australian Open LIVE
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 3-2 Novak Djokovic
Tsitsipas fights on. Djokovic goes level at 2-2, only for the youngster to surge ahead again.
A sizeable Greek contingent at the Rod Laver Arena today
Australian Open 2023 Live Score
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 2-1 Novak Djokovic
Buoyed by the sizeable Greek contingent at the Rod Laver Arena that are putting their vocal chords to full use at the moment, Tsitsipas races to an early lead in the second set, hoping to mount a fightback and draw level with Djokovic after surrendering the first.
Djokovic vs Tsitsipas LIVE Score
Game and first set Novak Djokovic! Stefanos Tsitsipas sends the serve return long and nine-time champion is closer to a tenth. Been smooth sailing for the Serb who is serving beautifully and keeping Tsitsipas pegged back on his own
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
Australian Open 2023 LIVE
Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic takes the first set, and inches closer to his 10th Australian Open crown! Tsitsipas shows signs of fighting back, but currently hardly seems a match for the 21-time Grand Slam champion.
2023 Australian Open LIVE Score
Stefanos Tsitsipas 2-5 Novak Djokovic
Djokovic nearly breaks Tsitsipas’ serve again as the Greek reduces the deficit, only for Novak to win the next game with ease and get within touching distance of sealing the first set.
2023 Australian Open LIVE
Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-3 Novak Djokovic
Tsitsipas bounces back to go one-apiece after Djokovic wins the opening game. The nine-time champion however, takes the next game rather easily before getting an early break to 3-1 up.
Australian Open 2023 Live Score
Stefanos Tsitsipas was made to work hard to hold in his first serve of the match and he’s once again pushed – only to be broken. Double faults on break point and Djokovic leads 3-1. Novak heavily dictating proceedings early on with rallies and returns
— Tanuj Lakhina, Melbourne
