GREEK TRAGEDY! Novak Djokovic wins 10th Australian Open title as he crushes Stefanos Tsitsipas in final
Novak Djokovic claims his 10th Australian Open title defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the finals of the 2023 Australian Open.
Follow Us
Novak Djokovic
This certainly was not Greek Tragedy. For those who have read a bit of ancient history, theatre and Greek Tragedy were synonymous. In fact, theatre, itself, evolved from the Greeks. On Sunday night, at the jam-packed Rod Laver Arena, the Greek (Stefanos Tsitsipas) met with a tragedy even as the supreme Serbian crafted rare history at the 2023 Australian Open.
This was modern history created, in tennis, as Novak Djokovic came out tops, winning his 10th Australian Open title in melancholic Melbourne. The scoreline read 6-3, 7-6(7/4), 7-6 (7/5 )in favor of Novak against Tsitsipas. Novak, eyes seemingly moist, touched his forehead and then his heart, a trademark. He then touched the court, again his heart. What emotions!
Sample this, Novak, 35, riled and ridiculed, rubbished as well, won his 22nd Grand Slam title, which brings him at par with Spanish southpaw Rafael Nadal. Before the debate begins on who is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), savor Novak’s win this fortnight at the AO. His left hamstring looked like decapitating at the start of the fortnight.
From pain to pleasure, he transported fans through the realms of fantasy on tennis courts over the fortnight in 2023 where tennis reached a crescendo. Due thanks, of course, to magic doctor Marijana Kovacevic, who had treated CR7 — Cristiano Ronaldo. The sports Doc was flown into Melbourne for a special mission and showed that he could get Novak fully fit. Great effort.
Related: Aryna Sabalenka is the Australian Open champion and a Belarusian, period
Serbian Novak Djokovic now on par with Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles
Do spare a thought for a man who made it this far, Tsitsipas. Well, he has talent, he has temperament. But the big deal is, to beat Novak, you need to be extra special. The Greek is 24, youth, so to say. At 35, Novak is mature, like the best wine you can pick up in downtown Melbourne, which produces great stuff from the grape vineyards in Victoria state. The more you pay, the better bottle of wine you can pick up.
Novak is like old wine, mature, which tickles your tongue as it trickles down your trachea into your tummy. Sounds poetic, is it? Well, Novak is the romantic relic of men’s tennis, a man people love and hate in equal measure. He is hated for being a Serbian as if he is involved in a war. He is hated as he kills opponents, on the court. Sunday was no different as a man with a hamstring issue looked fresh.
The tight taping was off and he looked fit, body chiselled out. The eyes were focused, his preparations for the big night nagging accurate. All he had to come out and show was his wares, Well, Novak was not wary, nor did he need to wear out his rival. It was cool stuff, like on ice, where you can walk if you are sure of your footing.
On the Copper Sulphate looking blue hard court, Novak was the master. Dressed immaculately, his Asics shoed hugging his feet, the tennis he cranked up was sweet. Great timing, power, and variety. It was a bit like that maestro at a concert, raising the pitch, not shrill, but sweet. Sounds like music is it? No, not if you are an opponent on the court against Novak who has to face the music.
The way Novak set up the break in the first set was so effortless. It set the tone for the course of the match even as fans seated inside the arena were tucking in chips and soft drinks, some getting a high minus lager! In the second set, though Tsisitsipas controlled the pattern of play better, he did not live up to the expectations. Chants of N..O…V..A..K… grew louder, and reached a crescendo, in the tie-break.
This was the stage when mind games began. King Novak versus the Greek Commoner. Sure enough, Tsitsipas melted under pressure and lost the tie-break. It tasted a bit like stale beer, yuck. As was expected, in the third set, Novak was going in with a great cushion — lead plus mental edge. The crowds were chanting, Come One Novak. Novak’s response was resounding.
It was a matter of time as the man who equaled history on a big night was sure he would not disappoint anyone. After all, there was so much riding on Novak Djokovic and he won the tie-break again. Novak’s serve has always been potent, it’s like a given that he will rifle in aces and not step off the pedal when he has to hit the second serve. His serve is hostile as well and makes it near impossible for the receiver to hit the return back and keep the ball in play.
That was the dilemma for Tsitsipas, like for many players before. To be sure, there has been plenty of drama surrounding Novak this fortnight. If, in 2022, he was the villain who was deported, this time the champion will depart with the Australian Open trophy. Before that, he will have his moments on Monday when he will go to the Yarra River nearby and pose with the trophy.
Novak hugs the trophy like Mom and her baby. It’s a bonding, it’s love, Novak, and the AO. For one year, there was a break in the script. The way Novak continues to play and pound the ball, he looks set for many more Grand Slam titles. 2023 has begun with a bang, Novak can soak at the moment, and his billions of fans. His victory is that of the tennis world, no hard feeling. Spare a thought for the character in the Greek Tragedy, Stefanos Tsitsipas.
He lived up to the role in enacting the tragedy, though he has the talent to change the script in coming to Grand Slams. Where does Novak go from here? Well, the sky is the limit if he can maintain the fitness of such high standards and show sweet passion. Hope, Australia treats him better when he returns in 2024.
Continue Reading:
“It’s all still sinking in,” Aryna Sabalenka still in dreamland after her Australian Open win
Stay Updated!
S Kannan
(382 Articles Published)