He won 11 titles including three of the four majors past year and already has a 12-0 record this season, having thrashed the other members of the “Big Four” – Rafael Nadal, Federer and Murray – to win in Doha and Melbourne. This match continued that streak.
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In a not-so-expected finish at the Australian Open men’s singles, top seed Novak Djokovic pulled a rather comfortable victory against second seed Andy Murray. “Tough match, tough luck tonight”.
“You’re a great champion, great friend, a great person who is very professional and committed to this sport”, he said.
The 28-year-old Scotsman had his share of distractions in Australia.
Murray, who stayed in the tournament despite his wife Kim due to give birth to their first child, was in familiar territory on the podium but looking for the exit.
Ivan Lendl, Murray’s former coach, lost five finals at the US Open in 1982-1984 and 1988-1989, before winning at Flushing Meadows in 1985-1987.
He had promised to head back to the United Kingdom if Kim went into labour and paid an emotional tribute in his post-match speech on court.
“I’ll be on the next flight home”, Murray said as his voice cracked. “I’ll be on the next flight home”. “I mean, I got two in the same day, so… it’s special”.
“I’ve been held on flights for it feels like five days”, he said.
Hundreds of Serbian fans, many waving flags, gathered outside and cheered and screamed as Djokovic did an interview with the host TV broadcaster.
“The end of the second set, the game I lost 40-love up, was a tough one”, Murray said.
With this title, Djokovic equalled Roy Emerson’s record of six Australian titles.
The Serb also equals Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg’s Grand Slam singles titles at 11, but is still well behind Federer, who has won 17 major titles.
The world number two lost the third set on a tie break as Djokovic landed a sixth title Down Under, while Murray was condemned to a fifth defeat in the final of the first Grand Slam of the year.
Djokovic last year had a better record than Serena Williams, but the American sucked all the air out of the room with her quest for a calendar-year Grand Slam, raking in numerous Athlete of the Year accolades. His focus will be restored when he returns and if Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are anything to go by, fatherhood might just improve his tennis too.
“Novak certainly has a chance”, Laver said.
The second set contained long rallies and plenty of tension.
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As a father himself, he didn’t want to delay Murray’s departure. When I did in the third set, that helped me out a lot. Though Murray battled back as he got the break back for 3-all but was unable to take control in the tiebreaker.
