The final of Australia, with the number one also at stake

MADRID, 28 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic aspires this Sunday (9.30) to his tenth Australian Open in the final of the first ‘Grand Slam’ of the season that measures the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, an aspirant to savor this level of success for the first time.

The one from Belgrade has been a steamroller these two weeks in Melbourne, on his return after being deported from the country last year for not being vaccinated against the coronavirus. ‘Nole’ was leaving that unpleasant chapter behind already in a full second half of 2022: champion of Wimbledon and the ATP Finals.

The current number five in the world did not attend the US Open for the same covid reason, but his return to Australia two years later has put him in a position to match the record of 22nd ‘big’ of the Spanish Rafa Nadal, who was injured in the second round . With an intractable level despite different physical doubts, Djokovic stood in his tenth final, winner of the previous nine, with the world number one also at stake to follow his resurrection.

The Serbian is once again the rival to beat, with the option of returning to the top and extending the record of weeks at number one (374), in addition to reaching Nadal in that race for being the best in history and also in titles (92). ‘Nole’ will have to contain all these emotions once again against a Tsitsipas he already beat in the 2021 Roland Garros final.

The Greek has a tough 10-2 against in duels against the Serbian, but he keeps knocking on the door to succeed the ‘Big 4’ in the big events. Tsitsipas, who would also rise to number one if he won, is undefeated in 2023, just like his rival, with 10 wins, with a resilient game and a mentality that continues to mature to be close to his best victory.

So close, but so far, the current number four in the world seems to have the mother of battles with a Djokovic who has already made him desperate on several occasions. Rod Laver Arena is ready for another important chapter in tennis history.