Melbourne, Australia (AP) — Even if you win a match at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic That much trouble.
he has 27 games undefeated, the longest in the location in its 55-year open age. And now Djokovic is just one win away from Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s final, his 10th record-breaking Grand Slam title and his 22nd Grand Slam trophy. can be obtained.
It’s everything else—some of his own things, some not—it has a lot to handle.
His streak at Melbourne Park was suspended a year ago when he was deported from Australia for not being vaccinated against COVID-19. that. “
Parents and younger brother return to the tournament for the first time in 15 years, father not present Friday night 7-5, 6-1 6-2 beat Tommy Paul In the semi-finals after garnering attention for being seen with people showing support for Russia outside the Rod Laver Arena two days earlier.
Djokovic repeatedly demanded that security guards remove persistent hecklers while he was playing.
His left hamstring hurt enough at the start of the tournament that he said he was worried about it, but took “a lot” of painkillers and didn’t elaborate, but I received other treatment.
So how does the 35-year-old from Serbia sort it all out?
How will he put it aside and play as usual?
Since dropping the second set in the second round, Djokovic has won 14 straight sets, giving up only 35 total games in that time.
“I mean, it sounds like a cliché, but you really have to embrace it. It’s easier said than done. “I mean, in the midst of such an important event, having to deal with all the other external factors that you don’t really need, or the situation, is ideal.” But it’s been a part of my life and unfortunately more so in the last few years.I’m just trying to evolve from there.I’m trying to be more resilient and stronger. I have.”
A lot depends on him and the 24-year-old Greek Tsitsipas (31 fewer than Djokovic) who will be in his second Grand Slam final on Sunday.
In addition to the championship, the winner moves up to number one in the ATP rankings. Djokovic holds more ground than anyone has ever had, and Tsitsipas is a place he has never been.
“I’m not ready for anything more at this moment,” said Tsitsipas, who beat Karen Khachanov 7-6(2) 6-4 6-7(6) 6-3 in the semi-finals.
“I really believe in what I can produce,” he said.
Djokovic leads with 10-2, including a nine-game winning streak, but let’s see if that applies to Djokovic. One of them was his 2021 French Open final, where Djokovic won in his fifth set after Tsitsipas did well with his two-set lead.
Tsitsipas is still chasing his first major title, but Djokovic wants to join Rafael Nadal for the best record in Grand Slam history.
Djokovic also has an advantage in his favor: he is 19-0 in the combined semi-final and final at Melbourne Park.
“The experience of being in this particular situation and situation before helps, and the fact that I have never lost an Australian Open final will definitely give me a huge boost of confidence heading into Sunday. No,” Djokovic said. “But of course, even then, the work has to be done on the court.”
This is where things tend to come fairly easily for him.
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