Novak Djokovic claimed his 10th Australian Open title on Sunday and reiterated that he is still the strongest of them all. The Serbian champion did not leave Stefanos Tsitsipas a chance in the final, respecting the predictions of the eve and returning to the top of the world ranking.
After a first week full of apprehension due to the condition of his left knee, Nole raised his level exponentially from the round of 16 onwards. The 35-year-old from Belgrade has put his 22nd Grand Slam on the bulletin board, which allows him to catch his eternal rival Rafael Nadal at the top of the all-time rankings and definitively detach Roger Federer.
The duel between Novak and Rafa will be repeated at Roland Garros, where the Spaniard will hunt for his 15th seal. In a long conversation with former player Somdev Devvarman for Sony Sports Network, Djokovic explained how the difficulties he faced as a child shaped his career.
During the awards ceremony, Novak invited children from all over the world to always follow their dreams.
The origins of Novak Djokovic: the birth of a champion
Djokovic explained: “I grew up in 1990s Serbia, torn apart by wars and internal strife.
For four years, no Serbian athlete was allowed to leave the country to compete in international competitions. I remember standing in line to get bread and milk every single day at 5am along with hundreds of other people. This was how we earned food to put on the table for our family.
I know how it feels in certain situations. I am proud of what I have achieved and I will never stop thanking God for everything he has given me.” Nole never backs down when it comes to helping others: “I’ve always been aware that there are many people all over the world who are less fortunate than me. I try to help people in any way. I know it’s not enough, but I do my best.”
