The 'Djoker' seals Australian Prize

World number one, Novak Djokovic reclaimed his throne in Australia, slugging it out with British number one , Andy Murray and ultimately claiming victory in four sets 7-6(5) (4)6-7 6-3 6-0.


The record Melbourne crowd were thrilled to the men singles finals that had kept everyone on the edge of their seats as to where the title would swing - Four time Australian Open Champ, Novak or Four Time Australian Open Finalist, Andy. It was so close. Too close to call. And rightly so. 

These two serve up one of the most delicious tennis rivalry in recent times, a somewhat FRENEMITY dating back to when they were kids. They are almost exactly the same age, with Murray being only a week older than Djokovic. They went to training camp together and Murray won the first match they ever played as teenagers. However, the tide has changed since then with Novak now enjoying EIGHT grand slam titles to Andy's TWO which of course was playing on their minds as they took to the Rod Laver Arena to square off.

Twenty minutes later, it was Novak 'No Jokes' Djokovic who got the rapturous crowd cheering as he raced to a 4-1 lead. He didn't play like the beat gladiator he seemed against Stan Wawrinka in the semis, forcing Murray's serve and retrieving faster than a Labrador (Well, technically!). From the 9th game onwards, a nasty thumb blister surfaced destabilizing the Serb and causing the riled Scot to sniff blood and eventually stretch the game to a tie break. This would set the tone for the latter part of the match as Andy Murray gave away a precious 2-0 lead to trail Djokovic and finally lose to him 7-5 and 7-6 in the set.

As indicated earlier, Andy Murray started the second set on the front foot, breaking Djokovic to lead 2-0. This was unexpected and rightly so as the Serb limped and struggled with an ankle sprain  (injury number 2). However, this tilted the momentum towards the world number one as he broke back immediately and led 4-2 at the end of the sixth game. The incredible pendulum swung again and before one could say JACK, or a preferred rant or outburst of your choice, (see Andy Murray's fiancee, KIM SEARS for practice lessons in that department after her semis 'diatribe' against Tomas Berdych) tie break it was again! This time, Andy made sure - with pin point aces and grueling rallies to secure the tie break 7-4 and the set 7-6.

Still Guessing Where This Would Swing To????
You Can Say Yes but for the viewers, then, it was an emphatic silence! Breathtaking Tennis at its finest with Breathtaking Confusion following suit.

Still roaring into the third set, Andy Murray duplicated the opening service games as set two and went 2-0 up. At the end of the sixth game, it was 3-3. At the end of the eighth game, it was 5-3 and advantage Djokovic. The revival was tremendous as Djokovic fought back with a display of ice cold shots and forehands with incredulous panache. 6-3, and the third set was wrapped up in the Serb's favor.

If you had followed the semis, one would have sworn that Djokovic was flirting with de ja vu - the only difference being, THAT won him the coveted TITLE.
In no short time, a 6-0 win in the fourth ensured that Novak Djokovic returned to his box and family (wife and newborn son), a GRAND SLAM CHAMPION and the crowd absolutely loved it. He was chasing an eighth grand slam title and a record 5 time Australian open Champion, a record win in the open era (albeit one shy of Roy Emerson's six Australian Open titles).

For Andy, it was back to "always the best man but never the groom" once again as he failed to clinch the title in four finals. Gracious he was in defeat and showing off his comedic potentials, the Scottish star lauded Novak for another triumph in what seems now to be his niche.

"Firstly I would like to congratulate Novak on his fifth Australian Open - it is a fantastic record and thoroughly deserved".

"I had amazing support here (Australia) and it is probably my most consistent Grand Slam throughout my career but just haven't been able to win." 

The tournament sponsors and organizers, the crowd, the tennis legends who were on hand throughout the tournament as well as his team didn't go unrecognized by the defiant runner up. He further revealed he hadn't given up on an Australia title after a fantastic road to recovery which begun in late 2014.

'I'll try and come back next year (2016) and hopefully, have a different outcome, in the final" he laughed.

Novak returned the acknowledgement to Andy, congratulating him on his engagement to long time girlfriend, Kim Sears and wishing him all the best being a great competitor.

"It's (a) slightly different thinking for me now since i become a father, and it has been, so I apologize for changing the subject" which was returned with a loud cheer from the crowd.

"They tolerate a lot of things from me, on and off the court and put up with a lot from me," says Djokovic as he looks towards his camp. 

"Without my family and closest people this wouldn't be possible and I thank you for supporting me. Last but not least, the fans. A record 733,000 - it's been a record-breaking year in terms of the fans coming to this Australian Open and it's truly one of the most remarkable sport events around the world and I'm honored to be standing here as a champion for a fifth time and be among an elite group of players."

For Novak, All road now leads to the Roland Garros as that is the only title eluding his ever expanding cabinet of grand slam titles. He is six and nine grand slam titles away from the record holders, Nadal and Federer but the Serb is arguably one of the greatest there is in the open era. And he's only 27!