Murray takes positives from Djokovic loss

Being remembered as possibly the greatest player in tennis history is no small feat and at the rate he is now going, there is a real possibility Novak Djokovic ends up getting there.

While Djokovic was still celebrating his 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory on Sunday, equaling Roy Emerson’s record of six Australian titles, Murray was rushing for the airport to catch a flight back to Britain to reunite with his pregnant wife.

The Big Four at the top of the game has become the Big One although Djokovic needs to win Roland Garros to join Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in triumphing at all four Grand Slams.

It’s the one I never won, ” Djokovic said early Monday, after winning his record sixth Australian Open, but already casting an eye toward Paris. “If I couldn’t win, I’m happy she did”. “I really hope you enjoy this moment”. “I tried not to think about it too much, but it was there as an encouragement, as a positive feedback, and a goal”.

Murray, 28, had said before the tournament that he would fly home immediately if his wife went into labour, even if it were on the eve of the final.

Silverware did not always come so easy for Djokovic who, after winning his first in 2008, went 11 major tournaments before sealing a second success.

“So all these emotions that are maybe trapped, that occur in your private life, the issues, the problems that we all face, you need to surface them”. You can get a big slap from karma very soon.

“It will be your worst enemy”.

Novak Djokovic began the match by winning five straight game in the first set and it was the sixth game that Andy Murray could manage to find some feet.

The claycourt colossus has since beaten Djokovic in the 2014 French Open final and 2013 semi-final, when the Serb let slip a 4-2 advantage in the fifth set. “First time me and Elena played and we won”, he said.

Murray survived four break points to hold serve in a marathon 12-minute third game as he tried to stay in the second set against the pressing Serb. “Had I lost in the third or fourth round it still would have been hard with everything that happened, but she’s been incredible and handled everything unbelievably well”.

“I try to follow the same kind of lifestyle and routine that have been helping me to get to where I am”. Contrast that to Federer, who continues to amaze at 34, and Nadal, who has had multiple injuries and father time rob him of his ability to play his physically punishing brand of tennis at a high level, and it is rather obvious to see where this is headed.

“Most of the matches we played in slams I think have been competitive”.

“You can observe it from different sides, but I believe that all the guys that are out there fighting each week to get to number one are very hungry to get to number one, and I know that”.

Kerber had won just one of six previous matches against Williams and was making her Grand Slam final debut, but she was the better player over two hours and eight minutes on Rod Laver Arena.