Whatever you consider Novak Djokovic, his tenth Australian Open crown has made him the true king of the Australian Open.
The 36-year-old claimed an enormous 6-3 7-6 7-6 win over Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas however there’s little doubt his celebrations weren’t as huge as most individuals would count on after a grand slam win.
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Asked how he celebrated his 2023 title, Djokovic mentioned: “With media and doping controls,” admitting he bought again to his room at 3am.
Amid questions over how injured his hamstring really was, controversy when his dad Srdjan seemingly unwittingly posed with pro-war Russians after Novak’s quarterfinal win and a return Australia, the place he was deported in 2022, Djokovic admitted it was “one of the most challenging tournaments I have ever played in my life.”
But it’s to not say that Djokovic hasn’t gotten unfastened after taking out the Australian Open earlier than, regardless of being a widely known teetotaller.
Ahead of the Australian Open males’s remaining, freelance tennis social media creator Bastian Fachan posted a behind the scenes story from after the 2012 remaining through Twitter.
At the time, it was Djokovic’s fifth main title and third at Melbourne Park, coming after a five-hour and 53 minute epic in opposition to Rafael Nadal that’s nonetheless the longest match in Australian Open historical past and the longest grand slam remaining of all-time.
Athletes on the high of the game should cope with anti-doping testing, however after almost six hours of exhausting motion, Djokovic: “was so dehydrated that the officials gave him beers so he could pee for the anti-doping control”.
It’s the place an unimaginable Australian Open story kicks off.
“But Djokovic usually never drinks alcohol, so at 3:30am, tipsy and all, Djokovic crashed the volunteer party, got on a podium, took the mic and started yelling ‘I’M ON A HIIIGHWAAAY TO HEEELL’ + other bops.
“After 6+ hours on court, + 2 hours at anti-doping, with press still to do, Djokovic gave the volunteers the time of their lives. Legendary.”
Readers had been hoping it was true and chief reporter for The Age Chip Le Grand was fast to verify it did in actual fact occur.
“I was at that party,” he tweeted. “The funniest line from Djokovic was when he got on stage and apologised for only having one beer that night. Cue mock boos from the crowd of tournament staff and volunteers.
“Then he lifted up the trophy (which was filled with beer) and declared: ‘But it came in a very big cup!’
“Cue Djokovic scull and crowd goes nuts.”
After profitable the 2022 Wimbledon title, Djokovic confirmed on the Tennis Channel he hadn’t had a beer in a while after he was requested about his drink of alternative.
“I am actually still awaiting my first meal after the match. I haven’t had much of food. You know I don’t drink alcohol. I mean, I haven’t had a beer in years,” he mentioned.
“I was forced by my coach Goran (Ivanisevic) today, so we had a beer. I didn’t enjoy it so much.”
But after dropping only one set on his method to profitable the Australian Open and two units in all the Australian swing, Djokovic admitted it had been a tough summer time.
“I have to say that this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I have ever played in my life, considering the circumstances not playing last year, coming back this year,” Djokovic mentioned.
“Only the team and the family knows what we’ve been through in the last four or five weeks and this probably is, I would say, the biggest victory in my life considering the circumstances.”
Source: www.news.com.au
