By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, February 4, 2020
"I just feel relief that it's over," said Novak Djokovic after winning his eighth Australian Open title.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Fans embraced Novak Djokovic and clamored for selfies as he walked through a Melbourne park carrying the gleaming the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup in his arms like a long-lost friend.
The day after Djokovic out-dueled Dominic Thiem in a dramatic five-set AO final to claim his record-extending eighth Australian Open title—and surpass rival Rafael Nadal to regain the world No. 1 ranking—Djokovic showed the human touch greeting fans and media with a relaxed afterglow of a rousing title run.
Thiem: Feel A Lot of Emptiness
The second-seeded Djokovic fought back from a two-sets-to-one deficit to win a Grand Slam final for the first time, overcoming stress, a sudden loss fo energy and a dynamic Thiem to raise his AO finals record to a perfect 8-0.
"Today, I just feel relief that it's over," Djokovic said. "Obviously with a lot of emotions and a lot of tension and everything that is happening while you're in the tournament."
The 32-year-old Serbian knocked off 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in the semifinals as he continues closing the gap on the 38-year-old Swiss and 19-time Grand Slam champion Nadal in the all-time major race.
The Big 3 have combined to win 13 consecutive Grand Slam championships. Djokovic says his focus remains on breaking the Swiss' Grand Slam record—and holding off NextGen stars eager to break through and win a maiden major.
"Federer and Nadal are still obviously competing on a very high level," Djokovic said. "And we have Dominic Thiem, Zverev, Tsitsipas plus Medvedev as leaders of a new generation and guys that are challenging the three of us for Grand Slam titles. So eventually, they will start winning the major titles. And hopefully not too soon.
"We'll make sure that doesn't happen too soon. I'm obviously thrilled to be in a position to still be in the mix in terms of conversation for the most Grand Slam titles. At this stage of my career and my life that's professionally what matters the most."
Addressing his controversial tap on chair umpire Damien Dumusois' shoe after dropping serve to trail 5-4 in the second set of the final, Djokovic apologized for his action.
Earning two time violation warnings cost Djokovic a first serve. He sailed a forehand gifting the break and a 5-4 lead to Thiem, who stepped up to serve for the second set while the Serbian vented at the chair umpire.
"Great job man especially on the second one; you made yourself famous," Djokovic, patting chair umpire Dumusois on the foot said sarcastically during the changeover.
"In a professional sport things happen obviously that you're not proud of," Djokovic said. "Sometimes you do things that you're not happy with. You go through different emotions, you go through ups and downs.
"Of course I'm not happy I touched the chair umpire. I'm sorry if I offended him or anybody else but in the heat of the battle some decisions that he makes or somthing that happens just distracts you or sets you off the balance a little bit. I just tried to re-center myself. It all ended up well for me. But hopefully people in the stadium and the ones that watched enjoyed the battle."
Winless in seven prior Grand Slam finals when trailing two-sets-to-one, Djokovic showed heart for the battle improving his five-set record to 31-10.
Celebrating his 276th week as world No. 1, Djokovic has set his sights on breaking Federer's mark of 310 weeks at the top.
I do have professional goals. Grand Slams are one of the main reasons why I am still competing and still playing full season, trying to obviously get the historic No. 1," Djokovic said. "That's the other big goal. I put myself in this position that is really good at the moment. I'm super happy with the way I started the season. It kind of sets the tone for the rest of the year.
"I've had that privilege to win this big tournament for eight times. To start off the season with a Grand Slam win significantly boosts your confidence and your expectations are quite high for the rest of the season. But whatever happens, this season is already successful. "