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Sunday, February 21, 2021
There was agony before the triumph
Record man Djokovic never loses in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic wins the Australian Open for the ninth time. The tennis star is extending his title record in Melbourne. In the final, the Serbian leaves no chance for Russian Daniil Medvedev. The start of the tournament is anything but confident.
Novak Djokovic defended his kingdom in Melbourne with a masterful performance and easily defended himself from the attack of the seemingly “unbeatable” Daniil Medvedev. The record champion and defending champion taught the formally strong Russian a lesson with 7: 5, 6: 2, 6: 2 and triumphed in the ninth Australian Open final for the ninth time, a sensational record that is equaled only by Rafael Nadal. . The 13 titles are surpassed at the French Open.
Djokovic now has a total of 18 Grand Slam titles, in the historic three-way battle with long-term rivals Roger Federer and Nadal (both 20), it’s just two big wins for the record holders. For his third consecutive title in Melbourne, the world number one took home a cash prize of almost 1.8 million euros. After just 1:53 hours, he was paired up with the talented chess player Medvedev.
At the same time, the 33-year-old Serbian ended Medvedev’s impressive winning streak, who had recently won 20 matches in a row, including twelve against the top 10 players. In his second Grand Slam final, the winner of the ATP Finals experienced the following disappointment: In 2019, the Muscovite had already lost to Nadal at the US Open.
Medvedev initially annoys Djokovic
Also due to this impressive series, the impression that the tennis greats solidified in the course of the tournament: if Djokovic can fall in his favorite tournament, it is Medvedev. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes the breakthrough and wins,” Australian legend Rod Laver tweeted before the final. Boris Becker also ennobled the Russian as the “man of the moment” and even saw him as a “little successor”. for the next few years by Djokovic “.
Medvedev was also unimpressed by a nervous start. The game, led by German chair umpire Nico Helwerth, quickly reached a high level. At Rod Laver Arena, the Russian almost always found an answer to Djokovic’s aggressive play, the Serbian had to fight hard for every point. After 42 minutes, he used a small weakness from Medvedev to win the first set.
Russians make mistakes
The Australian Open final was also the next attempt by so-called “next generation” players to herald the end of the era of superstars Djokovic, Federer and Nadal. Although the last US Open in Dominic Thiem had already produced a new champion: Federer was injured there, Nadal did not start and Djokovic was disqualified in the round of 16 for uncontrollability.
“There’s a lot of talk about the new generation taking over,” Djokovic said: “But realistically, that hasn’t happened yet. With all due respect to the other guys, they still have a lot of work to do.” . “
That was proved in the final in Melbourne: Djokovic kept the pressure high even with the advantage on his back, Medvedev, however, made increasingly simple mistakes. Frustrated, the Russian broke his bat and fought more and more with himself. Djokovic, whose abdominal muscle discomfort seemed to be completely over, stayed very focused and won the second round with ease.
Medvedev was growing desperate, the focus had disappeared. “He is a very talented player, but he is not nervous today,” Becker told Eurosport. Mentally, the icy Djokovic was far superior and easily defended himself from one last rampage from his opponent.
The fact that Djokovic started the tournament with a stomach injury and the muscles did not heal until the final, he could not heal due to stress, did not prevent the Serbian from the second triple win. In the second round, however, she had to fight hard when she fought American Frances Tiafoe in four sets. In the quarterfinals he defeated the last German Alexander Zverev. In 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020, Djokovic also had the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup in his hands.
