No matter you consider Novak Djokovic, his tenth Australian Open crown has made him the true king of the Australian Open.
The 36-year-old claimed a large 6-3 7-6 7-6 win over Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas however there may be little doubt his celebrations weren’t as huge as most individuals would count on after a grand slam win.
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Requested how he celebrated his 2023 title, Djokovic mentioned: “With media and doping controls,” admitting he bought again to his room at 3am.
Amid questions over how injured his hamstring actually was, controversy when his dad Srdjan seemingly unwittingly posed with pro-war Russians after Novak’s quarterfinal win and a return Australia, the place he was deported in 2022, Djokovic admitted it was “one of the difficult tournaments I’ve ever performed in my life.”
However it’s to not say that Djokovic hasn’t gotten free after taking out the Australian Open earlier than, regardless of being a well known teetotaller.
Forward of the Australian Open males’s ultimate, freelance tennis social media creator Bastian Fachan posted a behind the scenes story from after the 2012 ultimate by way of Twitter.
On the time, it was Djokovic’s fifth main title and third at Melbourne Park, coming after a five-hour and 53 minute epic in opposition to Rafael Nadal that’s nonetheless the longest match in Australian Open historical past and the longest grand slam ultimate of all-time.
Athletes on the prime of the game need to cope with anti-doping testing, however after practically six hours of exhausting motion, Djokovic: “was so dehydrated that the officers gave him beers so he may pee for the anti-doping management”.
It’s the place an unbelievable Australian Open story kicks off.
“However Djokovic normally by no means drinks alcohol, so at 3:30am, tipsy and all, Djokovic crashed the volunteer celebration, bought on a podium, took the mic and began yelling ‘I’M ON A HIIIGHWAAAY TO HEEELL’ + different bops.
“After 6+ hours on courtroom, + 2 hours at anti-doping, with press nonetheless to do, Djokovic gave the volunteers the time of their lives. Legendary.”
Readers had been hoping it was true and chief reporter for The Age Chip Le Grand was fast to substantiate it did in reality occur.
“I used to be at that celebration,” he tweeted. “The funniest line from Djokovic was when he bought on stage and apologised for less than having one beer that night time. Cue mock boos from the gang of event workers and volunteers.
“Then he lifted up the trophy (which was stuffed with beer) and declared: ‘However it got here in a really huge cup!’
“Cue Djokovic scull and crowd goes nuts.”
After profitable the 2022 Wimbledon title, Djokovic confirmed on the Tennis Channel he hadn’t had a beer in a while after he was requested about his drink of selection.
“I’m truly nonetheless awaiting my first meal after the match. I haven’t had a lot of meals. You recognize I don’t drink alcohol. I imply, I haven’t had a beer in years,” he mentioned.
“I used to be pressured by my coach Goran (Ivanisevic) right this moment, so we had a beer. I didn’t take pleasure in it a lot.”
However after dropping only one set on his strategy to profitable the Australian Open and two units in the complete Australian swing, Djokovic admitted it had been a tough summer time.
“I’ve to say that this has been one of the difficult tournaments I’ve ever performed in my life, contemplating the circumstances not enjoying final yr, coming again this yr,” Djokovic mentioned.
“Solely the crew and the household is aware of what we’ve been via within the final 4 or 5 weeks and this in all probability is, I’d say, the largest victory in my life contemplating the circumstances.”
