In a generational match against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday, Novak Djokovic will try to overcome the controversy that has surrounded him at Melbourne Park and win a record-extending 10th Australian Open title.
Djokovic has fought a hamstring pain, heckling by onlookers, and a media frenzy over his father meeting with Russian flag-carrying fans at the tennis a year after being deported from Australia on the night of the Grand Slam for not having Covid-19 immunization.
But Djokovic has handled all he could manage the best.
With his decisive semifinal victory over American Tommy Paul on Friday, the Serb extended his winning streak at the competition to a record-breaking 27 in the professional era, surpassing Andre Agassi’s 26-match streak from 2000 to 2004.
Fourth seed Novak Djokovic, who advanced to the semifinals at Melbourne Park unbeaten, is considered the overwhelming favorite to win again at Rod Laver Arena under the lights.
Despite this, the championship match features arguably the best matchup supporters could have asked for in the wake of injured champion Rafa Nadal’s early exit.
It provides a replay of the thrilling 2021 French Open final, in which Djokovic overcame a two-set deficit to win the tournament and left Greek Tsitsipas inconsolable.
The game wasn’t particularly recent in Djokovic’s mind.
I believe that Stefanos Tsitsipas has never competed in a Grand Slam final. Am I correct? This week, Djokovic posed an absurd question to reporters.
Both players have incredibly huge stakes.
Djokovic, who is 35, needs one more major championship to tie Nadal, 36, who now holds the record with 22 Grand Slam victories. Tsitsipas, the third seed, has put Greece on the tennis map and is eager to become the first Greek to win a Grand Slam trophy.
The winner will replace Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, who was unable to compete due to injury, as the current world number one.
Tsitsipas, 24, might believe that his moment has arrived now. After failing three times at the hurdle, he broke his semi-final curse at Melbourne Park on Friday in four sets against Russian powerhouse Karen Khachanov.
Tsitsipas remarked, “These are the opportunities I’ve been striving for.”
“To be able to participate in championship games that mean more than just the championship game.”
As anxiety rises, the environment is sure to be intense and possibly explosive.
At Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne’s sizable Greek community—the largest outside of Greece itself—will be in full voice.
They will compete with the army of Serbian fans who have flocked to Djokovic’s victories ever since he won his first championship at Melbourne Park in 2008 at the age of 20.
Meanwhile, unaffiliated spectators may decide to support Tsitsipas in the hopes of witnessing a true contest.
Tsitsipas has the tools to challenge any player on the tour thanks to his powerful serve, thunderous groundstrokes, and comfort in every part of the court. It will be interesting to watch if he has the stamina and willpower to beat Djokovic, the iron man.
Despite the protests of the younger generation, following a shocking fourth-round loss to Chung Hyeon at the 2018 Australian Open, only Daniil Medvedev has been able to defeat the Serb in a completed match at a hardcourt Grand Slam.
At Melbourne Park, only Djokovic has ever defeated Nadal or the late great Roger Federer, and the Serb is adamant about maintaining that extraordinary record.
“Of course, I have aspirations and goals for my career. Grand Slams, and holding the top spot in the world, “Djokovic stated.
I undoubtedly want to add to the history of our sport.
