Novak Djokovic, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, won his 22nd Grand Slam title by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday. After lifting the Australian Open trophy for a ‘record’ 10th time in his career, Djokovic equaled Nadal’s tally of 22 Grand Slam titles. Noting the Serbian’s record for ‘most Grand Slam titles’, Nadal took to Instagram to congratulate his rival on the remarkable achievement.
“Noelle, congratulations to you and your team on this great achievement.
Enjoy the moment!” Nadal wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Djokovic.
Drawing level with Nadal’s record 22 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic restarted the debate as to who is the greatest male tennis player of all time.
For some, the Serb settled it with his record-extending 10th Australian Open crown.
Certainly, his defeated rival on Rod Laver Arena thinks so.
“Obviously he is the greatest player to ever hold a tennis racket,” Stefanos Tsitsipas said after losing 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5).
It looks like Djokovic, who returned to world No. 1 with his dominant win in Sunday’s final, will win more Slams.
At 35 he is a year younger than great rival Nadal and appears to be in excellent physical shape, barring a hamstring problem at the start in Melbourne.
In contrast, Nadal’s battered body broke down again at the Australian Open and he crashed out in the second round, defending his title and hurting the Spaniard with a hip injury.
Roger Federer, the third of the “Big Three” who have dominated men’s tennis for the past 15 years, retired last year with 20 Grand Slam titles.
Federer will always be the “people’s champion” in the eyes of many because of his flamboyant way he played, but it is Djokovic who looks set to walk away with a record number of men’s major crowns.
with AFP inputs
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