Record-Equalling Djoker lifts 6th Australian Open Title

It was his sixth Aussie title, tying a record.

Obsessed by his chance at sporting immortality, the Serb is refusing to place a limit on what he may achieve after joining legends Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg as an 11-times major victor with his record-equalling sixth success at Melbourne Park.

Although one might say the pressure of a Grand Slam final might prove overwhelming for some tennis players. “No doubt that I’m playing the best tennis of my life in the past 15 months”.

“I don’t want to think how far I can go and what my boundaries are”. “A lot of things are important when you play the best in the world”.

Outside the stadium, hundreds of Serbian supporters, many waving the country’s flag, chanted the name of Djokovic while it granted an interview to the local television network.

The Serb was a class above on Rod Laver Arena as he added an 11th grand slam title to his collection.

Vesnina interjected, laughing: “I got a (text) message from him at 4:30 (a.m.), “I’m ready, partner”. “When I get to play them, I know exactly what kind of game plan to execute”.

“I need to pay respect to Andy for another great tournament”.

“There is no reason for me to be anything but optimistic about my game”. “I’ve had the fortune to win this trophy now six times, but I never experienced such support”.

“This serves as a great confidence-booster, great wind in the back for the rest of the season”.

Murray put a good humored spin on his defeat.

“I’d like to congratulate Novak; six Australian Opens is an incredible feat, and for what he’s done the past year, it’s been incredible consistency”.

“It’s very tough for me”. Kim has had for company the past week her father, Nigel Sears, who collapsed during a match here last weekend and flew back after treatment and examinations at a local hospital.

A little more than a half-hour later, Murray was sitting in a mandatory news conference, saying he was proud of his achievements here but was ready to get home.

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.

But it was Novak Djokovic who just won’t give up that evening!

Djokovic took a 6-1 lead, setting up five championship points, and finished if off in 2 hours, 53 minutes, with an ace on his third match point.

The World No 2 said an emotional thank you to Kim in his post-match speech on court and with the contest finishing at just after 10.30pm, he aimed to catch an earlier than planned flight out of Melbourne, at around 1am. “It’s at 1:00, I think”. The crushing blow came at 5-5, when Murray let a 40-Love advantage slip away.

After being pushed to five sets by Gilles Simon in the fourth round, he ramped up his performance-level in the second week, ending Federer’s tournament with a stunning attack in the opening two sets of their semi-final.

Sensing the finishing line, Djokovic kept his momentum rolling with a break to start the third set as Murray’s confidence began to evaporate.

Fighting Murray broke back in the following game with his backhand clipping the baseline, which was confirmed by Djokovic’s challenge.