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MELBOURNE: A very different Australian Open came to a family finale on Sunday, with Novak Djokovic crowned champion for a record-breaking ninth time and Serbian fans hailing a one-sided win over another aspiring challenger in Daniil Medvedev.
The world’s number one 7-5 6-2 6-2 victory on his favorite court secured his 18th Grand Slam title, putting him within reach of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal’s tempting men’s record of 20.
“I would like to thank Rod Laver Arena. I love you more and more every year. It has been a love story that continues to grow. Thank you so much,” said Djokovic as he cradled the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup once again.
With a fortune spent to host a biosecure tournament amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Djokovic came to the Grand Slam under fire after offending the Australian public by asking the organizers to ease quarantine conditions for players.
He suffered a painful abdominal injury in the first week and had to manage it during the second.
But those challenges were drowned out by the roars of his fans as he defeated fourth seed Medvedev in a bear atmosphere.
“It was definitely the most emotionally challenging Grand Slam I’ve ever had with everything that was happening, injuries, things off the court, quarantines,” he said.
“It has been, at least, a roller coaster in the last four weeks.”
Like Dominic Thiem in last year’s final, Djokovic faced an opponent desperate for a seat at the Grand Slam table.
Unlike Thiem, who pushed Djokovic to five sets, Medvedev never threatened in his second grand final.
Djokovic poked fun at the Russian’s 20-game winning streak and his pre-match comment that all the pressure was on the champion.
He broke it seven times and closed out the one-sided competition with a net run and a brilliant volley.
Having extended his undefeated record in nine finals at Melbourne Park, Djokovic shouted in triumph and enveloped his team in a group hug.
Nadal is the only man to have won the most titles in a single Grand Slam, with his 13 at the French Open. Djokovic has now won six majors after age 30, equaling Nadal’s record.
Djokovic had said before the game that Medvedev was the man to beat, but it all seemed like a mental game as the Serb took a 3-0 lead.
However, Medvedev rallied to 3-3, beating Djokovic in fierce background exchanges.
Djokovic changed tactics and brought the Russian to the net, his least favorite part of the court.
MEDVEDEV’S FURY
The ploy paid off when Djokovic hit a backhand shot for three set points and took it when a nervous Medvedev landed a forehand into the net.
While Medvedev broke Djokovic early in the second set, the Russian returned the break with a game full of errors.
The game was briefly suspended in the middle of the 2-1 after a protester yelled “release the refugees” during the game before being ejected to cheers.
Medvedev then hastily dropped serve and smashed his racket furiously after Djokovic advanced to a 5-2 lead.
The crowd turned unruly and was repeatedly rebuked by the chair umpire as Medvedev sank further into a funk.
He landed a long forehand to concede two set points before being floored by a Djokovic comeback.
The worst was yet to come for Medvedev, as he broke twice in a row, a weak volley at the net gave Djokovic a 3-0 lead in the third set.
With menacing humiliation, Medvedev swung hard into last position, but found no way to break through Djokovic’s defense.
After winning an epic rally to be within a game of victory, Djokovic shot an icy look at the Russian and slapped his temple as he walked to his chair before closing it.
Medvedev had to mourn another missed opportunity to Rafa Nadal in a five-set thriller at the 2019 US Open.
He compared the Big Three of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer to the “Cyborgs of tennis, in a good way.”
“I think he is (Djokovic) the King of Melbourne, even if I don’t like those words. What else can we say? He won here nine out of nine times.”
(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Pritha Sarkar)
