Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley believes Novak Djokovic’s record at Melbourne Park is absolutely astonishing and something that we won’t see ever again. Djokovic, 35, is now a record 10-time Australian Open champion.
The second on the all-time Australian Open list is Roger Federer, who had six triumphs at Melbourne Park. Also, Djokovic hasn’t lost at Melbourne Park since 2018 – he collected titles in 2019, 2020, 2021 and now 2023. Last year, Djokovic was denied participation a the Australian Open due to his vaccine stance.
“He’s so focused on everything he does, with every single minute of the day. That’s what he eats, what he drinks, when he does it, how he does it. There’s no breakdown or mental breakdown in anything that he does.
He’s been through a lot and to win 10 Australian Opens, I don’t think that’s ever going to be repeated. Over the last 15 years, he tells me it’s 14 years because he missed last year, it’s such a remarkable achievement.
He’ll hold a significant place in the history of the Australian Open,” Tiley told SEN Sportsday.
Tiley revealed Djokovic played with a 3cm hamstring tear
In his first tournament of the year in Adelaide, Djokovic sustained a hamstring injury.
Despite the injury, Djokovic made the call to play at the Australian Open. In his first three matches, Djokovic looked far from his best as his movement was negatively impacted. In the second week of the Australian Open, Djokovic looked much better and ended up winning the title.
But throughout the tournament, there were those who were openly accusing Djokovic of faking an injury. “This guy I did see, he had a three-centimetre tear in his hammy. Absolutely (I saw the scans), the doctors are going to tell you the truth,” Tiley said.
Djokovic enjoyed a very triumphant return to Australia and now he can look forward to the rest of the season.
