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.



Saudi Leadership Congratulates King of Morocco on U-20 World Cup Win

 Morocco's team members celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup final football match between Argentina and Morocco at the National Stadium in Santiago on October 19, 2025. (AFP)
Morocco's team members celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup final football match between Argentina and Morocco at the National Stadium in Santiago on October 19, 2025. (AFP)
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Saudi Leadership Congratulates King of Morocco on U-20 World Cup Win

 Morocco's team members celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup final football match between Argentina and Morocco at the National Stadium in Santiago on October 19, 2025. (AFP)
Morocco's team members celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup final football match between Argentina and Morocco at the National Stadium in Santiago on October 19, 2025. (AFP)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Tuesday a cable of congratulations to Morocco’s King Mohammed VI on the Moroccan national team's claiming of the U-20 World Cup title.

He expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Moroccan king for further achievements and wished the people Morocco more progress and prosperity.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent King Mohammed a similar cable on the occasion.


Kessie’s Double Leads Al-Ahli to Victory in Asian Champions League 

Franck Kessie. (Getty Images)
Franck Kessie. (Getty Images)
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Kessie’s Double Leads Al-Ahli to Victory in Asian Champions League 

Franck Kessie. (Getty Images)
Franck Kessie. (Getty Images)

Defending champions Al-Ahli cruised to a 4-0 win over Qatar's Al-Gharafa in Jeddah on Monday to move to the top of the Asian Champions League Elite standings as fellow Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad picked up their first victory of the campaign.

Former Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie scored twice after Enzo Millot had given Al-Ahli the lead at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in a devastating first-half performance by Matthias Jaissle's side.

Millot put the hosts ahead in the 32nd minute when he hooked in a close-range volley via the underside of the crossbar and Kessie added the second six minutes later with a towering header.

The Ivorian scored the third before halftime when he charged through the defense to pick up a return pass from Riyad Mahrez and slotted in. Saleh Abu Al-Shamat rolled in the fourth 14 minutes from time.

Al-Ahli moved on to seven points from three games in the western league phase of the competition, with the top eight finishers advancing to March's knockout rounds.

Al-Ahli are level on seven points with Al-Wahda from the UAE, who fought back from a goal down to Qatar's Al-Duhail to pick up a 3-1 win in Abu Dhabi, with goals from Brahima Diarra and Ala Zouhir securing the points for the home side.

Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal are third in the 12-team standings on six points from two games and will face Al-Sadd from Qatar on Tuesday.


Chess Mourns US Grandmaster Dead at 29

File picture of a chess board. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP
File picture of a chess board. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP
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Chess Mourns US Grandmaster Dead at 29

File picture of a chess board. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP
File picture of a chess board. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP

The chess world has been plunged into mourning following the sudden death of prominent US grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky aged 29.

Governing body the International Chess Federation (FIDE) remembered Naroditsky, who was also a chess commentator and streamer, as someone "whose influence extended far beyond the chessboard".

Fellow grandmaster and world number two Hikaru Nakamura wrote on social media: "I'm devastated. This is a massive loss for the world of chess."

Charlotte Chess Center announced the death of California-born Naroditsky on Monday, saying: "Daniel was a talented chess player, commentator and educator, and a cherished member of the chess community."

It said he was "admired and respected by fans and players around the world".

It did not say how he died.

FIDE said that Naroditsky "played a pivotal role in popularizing chess content online, bridging the gap between professional and amateur chess".

"There are not many people in the world who manage to achieve so much before turning 30."

Naroditsky was ranked number one in his native United States when he was just nine years old, The New York Times said.