Undisputed King: Novak Djokovic extends Australian Open legacy with 9th win

Australian Open’s undisputed king Novak Djokovic defeated Russia’s Daniil Medvedev to clinch his ninth career Australian title at Melbourne Park on Sunday. This is his 18th Grand Slam win, just two behind Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who have won 20 each.

Djokovic went through a roller-coaster ride to get to his ninth Australian Open final, as he uncharacteristically dropped five sets and battled an abdominal injury that nearly forced him to withdraw. 

But after his semi-final, Djokovic said he was feeling better than at any time during the past fortnight as he prepared himself to defend his crown against a man on a 20-match unbeaten streak.

Djokovic played his 28th Grand Slam final, in contrast to the Russian‘s second.

Before the match, the 33-year-old, who swept past qualifier Aslan Karatsev in the semi-finals, said while experience was clearly an advantage, Medvedev was also in electric form.

“Of course it contributes to more confidence, prior to coming into the finals knowing that I never lost in the finals or semi-finals just makes me feel more comfortable being on the court,” he said.

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“But each year is different, although it does have a mental effect on me. Maybe on my opponents, I don’t know, but on me it does definitely have a positive effect.

“But it’s not a decisive factor in the way the match is going to go forward, because each year is different.”