Nine Australian Open titles for dominant Djokovic

It’s nine for Novak. Nine Australian Open titles, the latest sealed for the loss of just nine games against Daniil Medvedev, underscoring his hegemony in Melbourne against an opponent considered the coming force in men’s tennis with a comprehensive 7-5 6-2 6-2 victory.

The world No. 1, who just a week earlier had contemplated withdrawing from the tournament with a suspected abdominal tear, was superior in every department in the final, handing the Russian his first defeat in 21 matches – a run that included victory over the Serb at the ATP Finals in London. With 12 of those 20 wins coming against top-10 opponents, Medvedev seemed unstoppable; when it mattered, Djokovic proved immovable.

Of his 18 Grand Slam crowns, half have been won at Melbourne Park, starting with his first major title in 2008. His latest seals a second hat-trick of triumphs on Rod Laver Arena, following his 2011-2013 treble with another since 2019. He hasn’t lost to a top-10 opponent in Melbourne since 2014, and results at this year’s tournament have ensured that he will surpass Roger Federer’s 310 weeks spent at world No. 1 next month having moved closer the 20 titles held by the Swiss and Rafael Nadal.  

“It has been a rollercoaster ride these past couple of weeks,” admitted Djokovic, who paid particular tribute to his physio Ulises Badio for keeping him on court after an injury scare against Taylor Fritz in the third round. “And finally, I would like to thank this court. Rod Laver Arena, I love you each year more and more, and the love affair keeps growing.”

It was a pitch-perfect lesson in front-running from Djokovic, who was never truly threatened by Medvedev in a final that sporadically delivered on the potential of this match-up between two athletic baseliners. Breaking the Russian in his first service game set the tone for the contest, and while he slipped up to see the scores level at 3-3 with a pair of poor smashes he was not ready to let Medvedev to get in front in the opener before pouncing in the 12th game to bring up three set points, sealed when the Russian netted a forehand.

Djokovic’s variety seemed to be Medvedev’s undoing, the 33-year-old proving too wily with his slice, drop shots, short balls to draw his man forward and even the occasional serve-volley keeping the Russian guessing and stepping up to the baseline to starve him of time. A consolidated break for a 4-1 lead in the second proved decisive, and when Medvedev spurned the chance to break back in game seven his frustration boiled over, the world No. 4 shattering his racquet after going down 5-2.

If the outburst was meant to inspire a fightback, the chance never materialised. Djokovic broke once again to seal the second, and after seeing a pair of break points at the start of the third, the Russian’s challenge faded, slipping to his second Grand Slam final defeat in one hour, 53 minutes.

Medvedev was gracious in defeat, paying tribute to Djokovic for more than his record in the trophy ceremony.

“I first practiced with Novak years ago in Monaco when I was 500, 600 in the world,” said the No. 4 seed. “He was world No. 1 – he had just won Wimbledon, he was like a god for me. Because I was shy, I didn’t speak to him, but he kept asking me questions and talked to me like a friend – it didn’t matter when I was 600 in the world or 4 in the world, he’s never changed.”

“You’re not calling me any more these last few years,” Djokovic joked in reply. “On the court you’re one of the toughest players I’ve faced in my life. You’re going to win one of these in the future, if you don’t mind waiting a little longer.”