10:30 yesterday
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“We ourselves created a monster that came with a clear intention and went hard for its goal. I wouldn’t want to be his opponent this year,” said Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios on Sunday night in reference to Novak Djokovic’s success.
The Serbian player had to leave the Australian Open a year ago as an undesirable person, humiliated and slandered. In his absence, Rafael Nadal won the title, and then Djokovic was not even allowed to the USA for the tournament in New York, which was seized by Carlos Alcaraz and reached the position of world number one. The Serb fell to 9th place in October, because he did not even get points for the Wimbledon championship, again for political reasons, when Britain did not allow Russian and Belarusian players, and the ATP and WTA did not award points to anyone.
“Now he’s back and he’s shown who’s the best,” continued Kyrgios, his London final opponent, who did not play in Melbourne due to injury. “When he’s healthy, he’ll easily win 28 Grand Slam titles,” he added.
In addition to Djokovic’s 10 titles in 10 Australian Open finals, 22 Grand Slams and all other records, it is remarkable that despite a muscle injury, he lost only one set in the entire tournament. Even in the 2nd round against the young Frenchman from the qualification Couacaud. “He knew that he must not go into very long exchanges, that he must quickly prepare a combination to finish. That’s why I saw here his hardest and most penetrating forehand of his career,” stated Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanišević.
“We need him here. Novak is the best, so he must not be missed. Without him, no one should enjoy success if the top players are not playing here,” he has often openly supported fellow Serbian Kyrgios in this way regardless of reactions at home.
Unfortunately, even after the victory, we saw and heard negative comments in the local media. Even after the match, Australian radio reporters were the first to point out Djokovic’s lack of vaccinations, intensified attacks on his father, who was directly linked to the victims of the war in Ukraine, and Monday’s newspapers still remind us that Djokovic may be a great champion, but he remains unpopular and controversial…
After all, some noticed that Djokovic’s thorny path was not without pain, without sacrifices and ended in tears. That’s also why, together with the coach, they called this success the biggest in their careers. “The more he is mocked, challenged, blamed and labeled, the stronger, more determined and motivated he becomes.” Ivanišević explained at the press conference.
“I didn’t train even on a single day off between matches. Having learned two years ago, I didn’t want to publish anything about the injury, cry, and certainly not now with the trophy in hand. But in a few days I will post all the details, including pictures on social media. I feel the need to show the doubters what happened because several comments touched me.” added Djokovic.
The 35-year-old native of Belgrade will now treat himself to a few weeks off. He is next registered for the tournament in Dubai at the end of February, and in the summer he will have other Grand Slam chances in Paris and London. “I will be in Belgrade in about a week, my parents are probably planning a big celebration. I’m happy to spend some time with my family,” he said on Monday afternoon after the photo shoot in Melbourne, when he got a little sleep because he was leaving the venue after the final at three o’clock.
He also had his former coach, Marián Vajda, who was missing his protégé Alex Molčan on the bench in Melbourne, to greet us, and when he saw us, he started his traditional Djokovic style: “Slovakia go ahead, don’t be afraid of anyone!” And this certainly also applies to his approach to matches and life.
