Serbian Tennis Star Novak Djokovic Beats RAFA Nadal To Win Australian Open 2019

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning his men’s singles final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 27 January 2019. EPA-EFE/JULIAN SMITH

 

 

By Alix Ramsay

 

When even Novak Djokovic thinks his performance is perfect, it must be pretty good.

 

He had just made history by becoming the first man to win seven Australian Open titles. He had set himself apart from all others by becoming the first man to win three consecutive grand slam titles for the third time in his career. He had won his 15th major trophy, so moving past Pete Sampras’s tally, and Sampras was his great idol growing up. But most of all, he had just sploshed Rafael Nadal, his greatest rival, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

 

It was a near flawless display from the world No.1. Admittedly, Nadal was not putting up much resistance, but, then again, he was never allowed to get so much as a toehold in the match. He won one point in the first three games, he won one point in Djokovic’s first five service games – he never came close to making a match of it. Djokovic would not let him.

 

“Back-to-back semi-finals and finals, I think I made 15 unforced errors in total in two matches,” the new mused. “It’s quite pleasantly surprising to myself, as well, even though I always believe I can play this way, visualise myself playing this way. At this level, under the circumstances, it was truly a perfect match.”

 

For the past 14 years, Djokovic has been chasing Nadal and Roger Federer. He wants what they have: their place in history, their place in the hearts of the public and their respected position within fabric of the sport. Yet they have always been better, more successful and, basically, more loved than him.

 

Now, though, the momentum is shifting in Djokovic’s favour. Federer will be 38 in the summer and he knows he cannot challenge month in, month out any more. He has 20 grand slam titles but where the next one is coming from remains anyone’s guess. Nadal is, as he has been throughout his career, always battling to avoid or recover from injury. And the new boys are not yet ready to take over. This is Djokovic’s moment to make hay.

 

“I am aware that making history of the sport that I truly love is something special,” Djokovic said. “Of course, it motivates me. I do want to definitely focus myself on continuing to improve my game and maintaining the overall well-being that I have mental, physical, emotional, so I would be able to compete at such a high level for the years to come, and have a shot at eventually getting closer to Roger’s record.

 

“It’s still far.”

 

Yup, Djoko wants it all. And, for the moment, there is no reason to think that he cannot get it.

 

Never before had Nadal been beaten so comprehensively in a major final. He had only lost seven of them prior to Sunday and in all of those he had won at least a set. But he was philosophical about the defeat. The Australian Open was, after all, only his first tournament in five months.

 

His knee gave up on him at the US Open and then he had an abdominal injury at the end of the season followed swiftly by the need for ankle surgery. Just when he thought he was ready to play again in Brisbane, he picked up a thigh injury.

 

Through all of that, he still managed to come back to work with a revamped serve, one that allowed him to be even more aggressive from the baseline. But while he had been focusing on the offensive side of his game, he did not have the time to work on his defensive skills – and when Djokovic came roaring towards him from the very first ball, he needed to defend as if his life depended upon it.

 

“He played, I think, fantastic,” Nadal said. “At the same time is true that when he’s playing that way, I think I needed something else. I was not able to have that extra thing tonight, being honest.

 

“Is true that probably physically I was not able. I played fantastic tennis during both weeks, is true, but probably playing that well, I didn’t suffer much during the both weeks. Five months without competing, having that big challenge in front of me, I needed something else. That something else probably today, I don’t have it yet. That’s my feeling, to compete at this super high level.

 

“To play against a player like him, playing the way he played tonight, I needed that defensive game to finally have the chance to be offensive. Is true that maybe was difficult to beat him even if I was at my 100 per cent. But probably will be a little bit more of a fight.”

 

To complete that second non-calendar Grand Slam, Djokovic must win the French Open. But to do that, he must get past Nadal. On clay. At Roland Garros. And no man has ever done that when Nadal has been fully fit.

 

Nadal sounded upbeat about his chances of building on his efforts in Melbourne. For his first two weeks back at the office, reaching the final was not a bad result. With time, he would get back in the regular groove and then we could all see how he could cope with the threat of his old foe.

 

“The only thing probably that I need is time and more matches,” he said. “My feeling was I have been always in offensive position during two weeks, during six matches. Today I know that will not happen. Of course, he played better than what probably he played during the rest of the tournament. Playing that well, is so difficult for everybody, for everyone, when he plays that level, is so difficult to fight for victories against him.

 

“But if I am able to run 100 per cent and to resist every ball, then you find ways. The things that looks easy for him become little bit more difficult when you have to do it one more time, one more time and one more time. I was not able to push him to do it one more, one more, one more every time. That’s my feeling.”

 

Nadal sounded like he intends to make life utterly miserable for Djokovic should they bump into each other in Paris. But the new champion is more than aware of what awaits him.

 

“The ultimate challenge there is to win against Nadal,” Djokovic said.

 

And if he can do that in June, his place in history will be assured.

Rafael Nadal (L) of Spain watches as Novak Djokovic (R) of Serbia addresses the crowd after winning his men’s singles final match against Nadal at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 27 January 2019. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE TONGO