Novak Djokovic enjoys ‘biggest win of my life’

Djokovic was nervous about the welcome he would receive on his return to Australia in late December, starting in Adelaide, but he won his 92nd career title there after receiving a hero’s welcome from the city’s Serbian contingent.

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However, there were challenges in Melbourne including allegations of faking the hamstring injury he sustained in Adelaide; Allegations of receiving illegal messages pasted on a bottle containing a mysterious brew; disobeying a referee to take a bathroom break; and finally his father is included with Vladimir Putin supporters.

Srdjan, Djokovic’s father, did not sit in his son’s player box in his semifinals or finals following the controversy, but instead hugged him in the bowels of Melbourne Park after the official procedure ended.

“We talked [before the final]. I thought things would settle down in terms of the media and everything, but that hasn’t been the case,” Djokovic said.

“We both agreed it would probably be better if he wasn’t there. That hurts me and him a lot, because these are very special, unique moments. Who knows if they’ll repeat themselves again? So it wasn’t easy for him.

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“Of course I saw him after the game. He wasn’t feeling too well, shall we say, although he was very happy to hug me and of course with everything. I could see he was a little sad.

“Look, it is what it is. I think in the end he also told me that it’s important that I feel good on the pitch, that I win the game and that he’s there for me. If it’s better for me as a result of the game that he’s not in the penalty area, then that’s the way it is… in the end we have a happy ending.”

Ivanisevic said Djokovic’s tremendous release of emotion is understandable after everything he has endured over his last two summers in Australia.

“He keeps everything inside [and] sometimes you have to explode,” said Ivanisevic.

“Surprisingly, he was very calm for a sentence and a half. He didn’t say a word about the final [then] he let it all out.

“It was very emotional for us, very emotional for him. It’s a great achievement. It’s been a really tough three weeks for him. He managed to overcome everything.”

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