Showdown of the history boys
NOVAK DJOKOVIC and Stefanos Tsitsipas clash in the Australian Open men’s final today with history and the world No.1 spot on the line. The Serbian superstar has insisted adversity has made him stronger as he aims to equal Rafa Nadal’s male record of 22 Grand Slams – a year after his deportation from Down Under.
No.3 seed Tsitsipas is bidding to become the first Greek player to win a Major title in his second Grand Slam final.
Both men are unbeaten this year and backed by fanatical support from the Serb and Greek communities Down Under.
It promises to be a classic at the end of a Grand Slam full of dramas on and off the court.
Djokovic’s family will make a late decision on whether his father will return to his player’s box after missing his semi-final.
The player claimed Srdjan Djokovic had been “misused” by Russian nationalists after footage emerged of his father posing with a pro-putin fan with a Russian flag.
It is the latest row connected with the Serb, who was booted out of Australia last January – and has hit back at “doubters” who claimed he was
“faking” his left hamstring injury during this event.
Djokovic said: “It’s not an ideal situation to be in when you have to deal with these other outside factors that are not really necessary during such an important event. But it’s been part of my life. I try to become more resilient, more stronger.
“I’m able to switch off. I have a team of people around me, my family members who give me protection. I want to keep my mind as sane or serene as possible in order to conserve the vital energy that I need for the court.”
Djokovic is on a 27-match winning streak here and has won all nine of his finals in Melbourne
Park. But Tsitsipas
(below) will have huge backing from the crowd in a city with the second biggest Greek population in the world after Athens.
The 2021 French Open runner-up to Djokovic said: “I am so grateful for support like this.’’ Djokovic said: “The Serbs and Greeks historically get along very well. I’m confident that people will support their respective players respectfully.”
The winner will also replace US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz as world No.1. “It gives the final extra juice,” said Djokovic. ■BRITAIN’S Alfie Hewett won his first wheelchair Australian Open singles title – his seventh Grand Slam – by beating
Japanese teenager Tokito Oda
6-3 6-1 in just 69 minutes.
Hewett, who had lost the last two finals here, said: “Third time lucky.the history of losing in the last couple of years has haunted me.”