Novak Djokovic admits the most satisfying grand slam title win of his record-setting career was also tinged with sadness because his father wasn’t in the stands at Rod Laver Arena.
Despite receiving the go-ahead from tournament chief Craig Tiley to return to his son’s courtside box following last week’s flags furore, Srdjan Djokovic instead watched Sunday night’s final privately, away from the spotlight.
Father and son agreed it was best that the now-22-times grand slam champ avoided the media glare after video emerged of Djokovic’s father posing with pro-Russian spectators at Melbourne Park last Wednesday night.
“I thought the things will calm down in terms of media and everything, but it didn’t. We both agreed it would probably be better that he is not there,” Djokovic said after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) to claim a 10th Australian Open title.
“That hurts me and him a lot because these are very special, unique moments. Who knows if they repeat again. So it was not easy for him.
“I saw him after the match, of course. Yeah, he was not feeling his best, let’s say, even though he was very happy to hug me and of course with everything.
“I could see that, yeah, he’s a bit sad.”
While disappointed with the unfortunate turn of events, Djokovic felt their decision was for the best.
“Look, it is what it is. I think in the end also what he told me is that it’s important that I feel good on the court, I win the match, and he’s here for me,” Djokovic said.
“If it’s going to be better for me as the outcome of the match so that he’s not in the box, then so be it.
“We talked. That was the whole conversation.
“In a way, I’m also sad that he was not there, present, in the stands. But he was throughout the entire tournament, so it’s fine.
“In the end, we have a happy ending.”
After being sensationally deported from Australia on the eve of last year’s Open for entering the country without being vaccinated against COVID-19, Djokovic declared his 2023 triumph “probably the biggest victory of my life”.
“I have to say that this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I have ever played in my life, considering the circumstances not playing last year, coming back this year,” he said.
“Only the team and the family knows what we’ve been through in the last four or five weeks.”
© AAP 2023
