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Djokovic wins Australian Open title to reach 22nd career Grand Slam

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Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas to win his 10th Australian Open title and equal Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam crowns on Sunday — an achievement that he dubbed “the biggest victory in my life”.

The Serbian will return to world #1, too, as he swept past the Greek third seed 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5) on Rod Laver Arena.

After the victory, the 35-year-old climbed to the player’s box to embrace his mother and brother and broke down in tears, collapsing to the ground sobbing.

His father, Srdjan, was missing from the audience after he was filmed earlier with a group of people with Russian flags — one with an image of Vladimir Putin — after Djokovic’s quarterfinal victory, sparking controversy.

The victory over Tsitsipas capped a remarkable return for Djokovic to Melbourne Park after he was deported from Australia last year 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.

“I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, to be comfortable, to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia.”

“I try to pinch myself and really live through these moments. It’s a long journey,” Djokovic 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.”

After his three-year ban from Australia was lifted, Djokovic stretched his unbeaten streak in Melbourne to 28 matches, the longest run at the tournament for a man in the Open era dating back to 1968.

He added his Melbourne trophy number 10 to the seven from Wimbledon, three from the US Open and two at the French Open, matching his rival Nadal for the most by a man in tennis history.

Margaret Court, with 24, Serena Williams, 23, and Steffi Graf, 22, have the most among women.

This was also the 93rd ATP tour-level title for Djokovic, allowing the 35-year-old from Serbia to break a tie with Nadal for the fourth most titles. Jimmy Connors still holds that record at 109.

Djokovic was participating in his 33rd major final, Tsitsipas in his second.

He was superior throughout the match against the Greek, especially in the two tiebreakers.

Djokovic took a 4-1 lead in the first and after it was 4-all, pulled off three points in a row.

He then led 5-0 in the closing tiebreaker. After winning the matchpoint, he pointed to his temple, climbed into the stands, pumped his fist and jumped with his coach Goran Ivanisevic and other entourage members, and collapsed, overjoyed.

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Carlos Sainz returns on farewell to Ferrari and is candid about Lewis Hamilton

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Carlos Sainz returns on farewell to Ferrari and è candid about Lewis Hamilton

During an interview given to the microphones of the Spanish newspaper “As”, Carlos Sainz è returned to talk about his farewell to Ferrari to make way for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton starting in 2025.

“I have no negative words toward Ferrari, and I don&#39t think they have any negative feelings toward me either. It’s a relationship that hasn’t been broken because we’re not happy with each other, but because of a circumstantial issue. I remain convinced that if Hamilton had not wanted to end his career at Ferrari, I would have renewed. To a seven-time world champion, però è impossible to say no and I understand the team&#39s choice to confirm Charles and not me” began the Spanish driver.

“When I arrived at Ferrari, the team was going through a very difficult time. In 2020 they were far behind the best. I am very proud of the progress this team has made thanks in part to my work. These have been seasons that have allowed me to win my first F1 races, get my first pole positions and win several podiums. I am happy to have come to a historic team and to have had the pleasure of driving Ferrari over these years” continued the’former McLaren.

“Charles è one of the fastest drivers I have ever faced, especially on a dry lap. Between us the difference è always been minimal. The only problems came from always going to the track together, one after the other, but that è was the advantage of Ferrari with a very balanced pair of drivers” added the Spanish number 55.

“My next adventure will be at Williams, where I will try to do something similar to what I did in Ferrari and McLaren. I want to help the team improve moving forward. I have the experience and the good energy to help them progress. I have been good in the past and my next goal è to bring the stable to the top 10. If we do well in the next two years, I would like to be able to bet on Williams again in the future” concluded Carlos Sainz.

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Jannik Sinner’s new appointment exalts Giovanni Malagò

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Jannik Sinner’s new post exalts John Malagò

CONI President Giovanni Malagò spoke at the Allianz Tower in Milan on the sidelines of an event with Olympic and Paralympic athletes who participated in the Paris Games. During his speech, the Rome native wanted to dwell on the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the role that Jannik Sinner will play, who will be one of the volunteers contributing to the event’s organization.

“The origins of Jannik Sinner, who è is from South Tyrol, suggest that he could have become the world number one in skiing. This we can never know, but we certainly know that he è become the number one in tennis” began the CONI president.

“Volunteers are crucial to the Olympics. Without them such an event would not be economically sustainable. Sinner will be the No. 1 volunteer in Milan-Cortina. It’s really a lot of stuff” added Giovanni Malagò.

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Joao Fonseca puts Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in his sights

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Joao Fonseca does not hide ambition

During an interview given to the microphones of “CLAY”, the promising Joao Fonseca, among other topics, revealed what are his main goals in the short and long term.

“I see the rivalryà that Alcaraz and Sinner have and è to that level I want to get. Sometimes I think I should aim for top-100 or top-50, but no, I want to set my targets on them. I want to be like Carlos and Jannik, win Slams and other big tournaments” began the Brazilian tennis player.

“We are living the present with calm and serenity; reflecting carefully on every aspect of my game. This è a long-term career and we are waiting for the right moment to take the best path for me” added the 18-year-old from Rio de Janeiro.

“I know I will have to deal with the pressure that comes from the high expectations on me. They see me in tournaments, talking about me, but the pressure that I most prefer è the one that my opponents may feel when they face me” he chipped in Joao Fonseca.

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