Djokovic makes more history

MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic climbed into the stands at Rod Laver Arena to celebrate his 10th Australian Open championship and record-tying 22nd men’s Grand Slam title Sunday. After jumping and pumping his fists with his team, he collapsed onto his back, crying.

When he returned to the court area, Djokovic sat on his sideline bench, buried his face in a white towel and sobbed some more.

This trip to Australia was far more successful than that of a year ago, when Djokovic was deported because he wasn’t vaccinated against COVID-19. He accomplished all he could possibly have wanted in his return: He resumed his winning ways at Melbourne Park and made it back to the No. 1 ranking, declaring: ‘‘This probably is the, I would say, biggest victory of my life.’’

Only briefly challenged in the final, the fourth-seeded Djokovic simply was better at the most crucial moments and beat thirdseeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5). As a bonus, he will vault to No. 1 in the ATP rankings, a spot he already has held for more weeks than any other man.

‘‘This has been one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played in my life, considering the circumstances,’’ Djokovic said, wearing a zip-up white jacket with a ‘‘22’’ on his chest. ‘‘And I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, made me feel comfortable, to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia.’’

Djokovic, 35, stretched his unbeaten streak in Melbourne to 28 matches, the longest run there in the Open era, which dates to 1968. He added trophy No. 10 to his seven from Wimbledon, three from the U.S. Open and two from the French Open to match rival Rafael Nadal for the most by a man.

Only two women — Margaret Court at 24 and Serena Williams at 23 — are ahead of him.

‘‘I would like to thank you for pushing our sport so far,’’ Tsitsipas said, addressing Djokovic, who also beat him in the French Open final in 2021.

Tsitsipas later added: ‘‘He is the greatest that has ever held a tennis racket.’’