Novak Djokovic Captures His 10th Australian Open Men’s Singles Title

Novak Djokovic came to Australia with a mission, or really a series of them.

To win the championship he had won nine times once more. To win a 22nd Grand Slam men’s singles title and draw even with his rival Rafael Nadal at the top of the list. To remove any doubt anyone might have about whether he remains the world’s dominant player, the most commanding player of the last decade and now this one, too. To show the world that the only way to keep him from winning nearly any tennis tournament is to not let him play.

Check. Check. Check. And check.

A year after Australia deported him over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19, Novak Djokovic reclaimed the Grand Slam title he has won more than any other, capturing a record 10th championship at the Australian Open by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) on Sunday.

After one last forehand off Tsitsipas’s racket floated long to end a match that felt lopsided despite the two tiebreakers, Djokovic turned and stared at his relatives and coaches sitting in his box. He pointed to his head, his heart, and then just below his belt, letting the world know it took everything to win one of the most momentous championships in a career that has been filled with them.

Then he put on a jacket with a bright number 22 just under the right side of his collarbone.

“Dare to dream,” Djokovic said to the crowd as he held the winner’s trophy. “Don’t let anyone take that dream away from you.”