World No.1 Novak Djokovic beat World No.2 Rafael Nadal in straight sets to clinch this year’s Australian Open title Sunday morning.
In a near one-sided match, Djokovic crushed the Spaniard 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 to win the Australian Open for a record seventh time and tally his total number of major titles to 15. With the win, Djokovic becomes the third all-time Grand Slam winner just behind Nadal (17) and Roger Federer (20).
“I’m trying to contemplate on the journey in the past 12 months. I had surgery exactly 12 months ago,” Djokovic said. “To be standing now here, in front of you today, managing to win this title and three of the four Slams is truly amazing.”
Djokovic has now won in the 13 of 16 times he’s played Nadal. For the Spaniard, this was the first time has lost in a Grand Slam final in straight sets. Despite the loss, Nadal was full of hope for a better year.
“Even though tonight was not my night, it was very important for me in coming back from injury,” he said. “I believe I played a good two weeks of tennis and it is a great energy and inspiration for what is coming. I will keep fighting and keep practicing to give myself better chances in the future.”
