Novak Djokovic on track for men's tennis Grand Slam record after straight-set Aussie Open win
Novak Djokovic is on track to set the record for most men's Grand Slam titles this year after cruising in straight sets in the Australian Open final.
Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) to add another Australian Open title to his collection and move into a tie with Rafael Nadal for most grand slam titles by a men's player.
Djokovic withstood two tiebreaks that could have sent the match in a different direction. Arguably the biggest swing occurred when Tsitsipas attempted to break Djokovic's serve to claim the second set.
After a nice rally, Djokovic won the point to avoid dropping the set, something he rarely did at the 2023 tournament. Djokovic only lost one set in seven matches at the Australian Open, in the second round to France's Enzo Couacaud.
Since dropping that set in a tiebreak on Jan. 19, Djokovic won 17 consecutive sets as he made quick work of the field in his return to the Australian Open after being barred from participating last year due to his vaccination status.
Djokovic extended his Australian Open record with a 10th title, and he moved into a tie with Nadal for most grand slam titles by a men's tennis player at 22. Among all players in the open era, only Serena Williams (23) has more Grand Slam championships. Margaret Court is the all-time record holder with 24 Grand Slam victories.
Djokovic, 35, will have to wait to tie Williams for most Grand Slam titles, but he's already matched her for the most after turning 30.
He's playing at an elite level and has three chances remaining this year to add to his grand slam total. Next up is the French Open in May, followed by Wimbledon during the summer. Djokovic has two titles at Roland Garros and seven at Wimbledon.
The U.S. Open closes the year's grand slam schedule in late summer, where Djokovic last won the title in 2018. After watching Djokovic cruise past the field at the Australian Open, it's possible he not only passes Nadal, but Williams and Court as well. To do so, he needs to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam for the first time since Steffi Graf did it in 1988. He had a chance to complete it in 2021 before losing to Daniil Medvedev in the U.S. Open final.
The last man to achieve the feat was Rod Laver in 1969. The Australian tennis great was on hand for Djokovic's win on Sunday and the two took photographs after the match. He also praised Djokovic on Twitter afterward.
Djokovic is firmly in the class with the legends of the sport. By the end of 2023, he could be all by himself.
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