Novak Djokovic will take the ATP throne on Monday for the first time since June 2022, receiving honors from the current ATP leader Carlos Alcaraz. Novak has been a player to beat since the last year’s Wimbledon, barely losing a match and winning six titles, including two Majors.
On Sunday, Novak claimed his tenth Australian Open trophy and added 2000 ATP points to his tally. Thus, the Serb passed Carlos Alcaraz on the ATP throne and became world no. 1 for the seventh time in a career. Alcaraz won his first Major title at the last year’s US Open and became the youngest world no.
1 at 19 years! The Spaniard stayed at the top for 20 weeks, but his reign was over when Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the Australian Open final. The winner of that one was to be the new ATP leader, and Novak produced a 6- 3, 7-6, 7-6 victory to pass Alcaraz and start his 374th week on the ATP throne.
Djokovic came to Melbourne with a hamstring injury, and his left leg bothered him greatly in the opening three rounds. The Serb battled past Roberto Carballes Baena, Enzo Couacaud and Grigor Dimitrov, enduring a couple of tight sets and preserving energy for the second week.
With the entire team trying to reduce the pain, Novak felt much better on the court from the fourth round. He sailed past Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev to advance into the semi-final, his favorite territory in Melbourne.
Never losing after the quarter-final stage at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic ousted Tommy Paul in the semi-final and set the title clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Novak Djokovic takes the ATP throne from Carlos Alcaraz.
The Greek played for his first Major crown and an ATP throne but could not match the Serb’s level.
Stefanos broke Novak once, early in the third set, but it was not enough to keep him safe and bring him at least a set. Djokovic made a strong start and controlled the pace in both tie breaks to emerge at the top and match Rafael Nadal’s 22 Major titles.
Novak broke in the first set’s fourth game after the rival’s double fault and served well for 6-3 in 36 minutes. Tsitsipas raised his level in the second set and created a set point at 5-4. Djokovic denied it and claimed the set in the tie break for a massive lead.
They traded breaks early in the third set, and Novak built an early lead in the tie break. Tsitsipas saved two match points and fought back to 5-6 before Djokovic seized the third chance to seal the deal and start a massive celebration.
Congratulations @DjokerNole for the Australian Open 🠆 and the world number 1ï¸ âƒ£! Very well deserved! 🤠🠻 Hope to see you soon on court!
😜 pic.twitter.com/B43X5AHz1E — Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) January 29, 2023