Djokovic Wins 10th Australian Open Title, 22nd Major

Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 29, 2023 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning his final match against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 29, 2023 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning his final match against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
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Djokovic Wins 10th Australian Open Title, 22nd Major

Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 29, 2023 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning his final match against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 29, 2023 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning his final match against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Novak Djokovic collected his record-extending 10th Australian Open championship and record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title overall with a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final at Melbourne Park.

The victory Sunday night also will allow Djokovic to rise to No. 1 in the AP rankings on Monday.

The Serb collapsed into tears after the match.

A year ago, Djokovic, 35, did not play in the Australian Open after he was deported from the country because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19.

"I have to say this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I've ever played considering the circumstances, not playing last year, coming back this year," he said, wearing a jacket with the number 22 emblazoned on it.

Djokovic, who was more emotional than usual, added: "Only my team and family know what we have been through in the last four or five weeks and this is why I'd probably say this is the biggest victory in my life considering the circumstances."

Tsitsipas, 24, in only his second Grand Slam final to Djokovic's 33rd, appeared nervous, losing the first set.

But he battled back into contention in a much closer second set as his confidence grew, earning his first break point -- and set point -- when Djokovic blasted a backhand wide.

But the Serb clung on to keep the set on serve and it went to a tiebreak, where his greater experience roared to the fore.

Against the odds, Tsitsipas broke for the first time on Djokovic's opening serve in set three, only to relinquish the advantage immediately after a gripping rally.

It again went to a tiebreak, where Djokovic once again raised a level.

"I've had the privilege to play a lot of difficult, high-intensity matches, but I would like to say one more time Novak brings the best out in me," said Tsitsipas, who is still yet to win a major.

"He's the greatest that has ever held a tennis racquet, for sure," the Greek added.



Atmane Gifts Birthday Boy Sinner Pokemon Card Ahead of Cincinnati Semi-final

Terence Atmane of France comes to the net for a ball while playing Jannik Sinner of Italy during the semi-final of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2025 in Mason, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP)
Terence Atmane of France comes to the net for a ball while playing Jannik Sinner of Italy during the semi-final of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2025 in Mason, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Atmane Gifts Birthday Boy Sinner Pokemon Card Ahead of Cincinnati Semi-final

Terence Atmane of France comes to the net for a ball while playing Jannik Sinner of Italy during the semi-final of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2025 in Mason, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP)
Terence Atmane of France comes to the net for a ball while playing Jannik Sinner of Italy during the semi-final of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2025 in Mason, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP)

Frenchman Terence Atmane made sure Jannik Sinner had a 24th birthday to remember, gifting the world number one a Pokemon card before going on to lose their semi-final meeting at the Cincinnati Open on Saturday.

Top seed and defending champion Sinner ended qualifier Atmane's run at the Masters 1000 tournament with a 7-6(4) 6-2 win.

Before the match, the pair were seen talking to each other in the tunnel leading onto center court, where Atmane handed over the collectable based on the hit Japanese video game series and TV show.

"It's his birthday today so I had to give him a little something," Atmane told reporters.

"I was thinking last night about what I should give to him. I was like, 'I think I still have some Pokemon cards that I brought from France. Why not give him just a Pokemon card?' I'm a Pokemon card collector. I think this is the perfect gift.

"If that was my birthday, I would be so happy that someone gave me a Pokemon card."

Sinner, who was also serenaded with "Happy Birthday" by the crowd, was grateful and slightly bemused by the gift.

"I was talking to him a little bit in the locker room. He has one of the biggest collections of Pokemon cards, and I'm very lucky that I got one of his ones," the Italian told Tennis Channel.

"It was just a nice moment before a match, we didn't know each other at all. So, it was a nice moment ... The card was a kind of Pikachu. It said 30 damage to itself, so I don't know if that is good or not!"

For Atmane, the defeat ended a remarkable run in Cincinnati during which he recorded wins over top-10 players Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune.

"Absolutely crazy, insane. I still cannot believe that I made the semi-finals here," said world number 136 Atmane, who only a couple of months ago suffered back-to-back first-round exits in the second-tier Challenger Tour.

"Playing against Jannik today was also a very good memory for myself and I will remember that for a long time."

He said he had worked a lot on his mental strength and controlling his emotions.

"I think that's the key for me to succeed at a high level."