For nearly twenty years, Novak Djokovic’s dominance in grand slam tournaments has become a norm. However, witnessing the world No. 1 break down in tears on the court after his Australian Open triumph was unprecedented.
Djokovic’s emotional response, he later revealed, was a result of both the magnitude of his achievement and the personal challenges he faced in the weeks leading up to the victory.
Djokovic’s straight-sets win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in Melbourne was historically remarkable: it marked his 10th Australian Open title, making him only the second man to win over ten titles at a single grand slam, and his 22nd major title, tying the men’s record with Rafael Nadal. The victory also reinstated Djokovic as the world No. 1 for a record-extending 374th week.
During the trophy presentation, Djokovic was seen hiding his face with a towel, sobbing uncontrollably. He later explained that his tears were not just due to the win but also from the emotional toll of managing his hamstring injury, the fallout from his father’s controversial appearance with Russian supporters, and the media scrutiny.
Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, was absent from the stands, a decision made to avoid further distraction, which added to Djokovic’s sadness. Despite the difficulties, Djokovic expressed determination to continue his career and compete for more titles, feeling physically and mentally strong despite the challenges of being 35. He emphasized the importance of support from loved ones and maintaining a balance between personal life and professional aspirations to continue pursuing grand slam victories.