Andy Murray, in the background, made a quick exit after his Australian Open final defeat in Melbourne by Novak Djokovic.
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It moved the 28-year-old to 11 Grand Slam titles overall, joint fifth on the all-time list and within sight of Roger Federer’s all-time record of 17.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the trophy after winning the final of men’s singles against Andy Murray of Great Britain at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 31, 2016.
Djokovic was composed as ever in the first set of his final round match against Murray, but was taken by the Brit to the limit in the following sets.
“I don’t want to think how far I can go and what my boundaries are”.
“Because if I do, the person becomes too arrogant and thinks that he’s a higher being or better than everybody else”.
“In these particular matches when it goes down to very few points, when you’re challenged in every aspect of your being, if there is something under the surface, it will come out and it will play against you”. I don’t want that. I am trying to keep it up. He added: “I hope this kind of approach will help me to get to where I am”.
Yet it was essentially Djokovic’s ability to seize his own opportunities and end Murray’s momentum that clinched the contest and allowed him to celebrate by kissing the blue hard court on Rod Laver Arena for a sixth time. Both tournaments use a cushioned acrylic surface from the same manufacturer, although the United States Open surface has generally been quicker through the years.
Jim Courier, the last man to win the first two Grand Slams of the season back in 1992, said: “For the first time in as long as I can remember, the same player is the favorite at all four Majors”.
After claiming victory in four of the past five matches – falling only in the final of Roland Garros to Stan Wawrinka a year ago – Djokovic isn’t ruling out surpassing Federer’s mark as the most successful grand slam performer in the history of the sport.
Returning to the metaphor, how hungry is the wolf for Paris, he was asked.
Murray leaves Melbourne without the trophy again, but he’s going back home to a much bigger prize this time.
Djokovic’s latest triumph over Murray – his 11th in their past 12 encounters – consigned the world No. 2 to a more unfortunate place in the tennis record books as the first man in the 48-year open era to lose five finals in Melbourne.
Djokovic started the match on fire as he dispensed of the No. 2 player in the world in 30 minutes.
Beaten finalist Andy Murray said the Australian Open has been “hard” and he is keen to reunite with his pregnant wife Kim.
Now comes the frightening part: Djokovic believes he must play better. I think that will show up through this year. I’m going to get myself ready. The two are more neck-and-neck in finals play, Djokivic winning seven of his 13 meetings with Murray.
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“It was the closest I’ve been to leaving a Grand Slam”, said Murray. “‘I mean, I got two in the same day”.
