Novak Djokovic has started the season in the best possible way, winning the tenth Australian Open of his career and returning to the top of the ATP rankings. The Serbian phenomenon only dropped one set at Melbourne Park, confirming that he has a very special feeling about this tournament.
As well as unseating Carlos Alcaraz from his throne, the 35-year-old Belgrade native has also tied his archrival Rafael Nadal for the top of the all-time Grand Slam rankings. The overtaking will not go well at Roland Garros, scheduled for the end of May on the clay of Paris.
Given Rafa’s difficult state, many believe that the Serbian can once again aspire to the ‘Grand Slam of the calendar’ Goran Ivanisevic’s protégé had already come close to this titanic feat in 2021, when he came one victory from the finish line.
The 22-time Slam champion will return to action in Dubai at the end of February, while his presence in Indian Wells and Miami remains uncertain. In fact, Novak has applied for special permission to enter the United States. Djokovic won the Australian Open despite a left hamstring injury, which he suffered during the Adelaide ATP semi-final against Daniil Medvedev.
On the sidelines of the AO, tournament director Craig Tiley revealed that Nole played with a 3cm tear in his thigh….
