As soon as he won the Australian Open, the tennis player climbed into the stands. Burst into tears and fell to the ground, unable to move for several minutes. In fact, he had to be helped down from the box and back onto the court.
Game, set and match for Novak Djokovic. The Serb won his tenth Australian Open title and once again became world number one.
But he did not do it in just any tournament, nor in another Grand Slam. He did it in the same land that deported him last year and that marked the beginning of a year. Full of contrasts for the athlete who is undoubtedly one of the greatest in history.
Djokovic explains his worrying celebration after winning the Australian Open
That is why he burst into tears. For the same reason, as soon as he greete his opponent. Stefanos Tsitsipas (3rd ATP), he walke slowly towards one of the stands. There where his loved ones were, those who were with him in the worst moments and never lost faith.
Nole walked forward with a steady gaze and leapt to stand on the railing to shout to the world that he was becoming a legend. And like a footballer winning a cup with a last-minute goal. The Belgrade-born Nole raised his hands, expresse his passion and then embraced his family.
Djokovic explains his worrying celebration after winning the Australian Open
When I went to the box, I broke down hugging my mother and my brother because up until that point. I guess, I wouldn’t allow myself to be distracte by anything off the track or anything that would. Disturb my treatment of the injury. It took a lot of mental energy. he said at his post-victory press conference.
He added: “If I go back a couple of weeks, I don’t think I was ready to win. It was a matter of survival. From the eighth round onwards, my leg didn’t bother me so much, I could move much better”.
With 6-3, 7-6, 7-6, Djokovic equalled Rafael Nadal with 22 Grand Slam titles. Surpasse him with 93 tournaments won at ATP level. Perhaps for the same reason, the Spanish newspapers highlighted another part of his celebration. The one where he touche his head. His heart and his crotch, as they compare it to the one Carlos Alcaraz did in the final that he won in Madrid.
But that’s another story, as Nole wanted to vindicate himself and he said. I was looking forward to coming back to Australia, I wante to come back and play. I finished last season in the best possible way and I had a great pre-season. Considering what happened last year, I was a bit more nervous; I didn’t know how it was going to be or how people were going to receive me, but overall, it’s been a very positive experience,” he conclude.