(January 31, 2016) Novak Djokovic captured his sixth Australian Open title on Saturday night defeating No. 2 Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(3) in 2 hours and 53 minutes. For Djokovic this is his 11th major title placing him in a tie for fifth place on the all-time list with Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver. His sixth title in Melbourne equals Roy Emerson’s record.
Djokovic is a perfect 6-0 in Australian Open finals, while Murray is now 0-5, four of them to No. 1 Djokovic.
Djokovic has now captured the last three major titles, going back to Wimbledon, and four of the last five.
“I don’t take anything for granted, even though I won last four out of five Grand Slams, played five finals, it’s phenomenal,” said Djokovic. “No doubt that I’m playing the best tennis of my life in the last 15 months.”
“The fact that I managed to make history tonight and equal Roy Emerson’s six Australian Open titles. Very honored to be mentioned alongside legends of our sport by Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver, win as many Grand Slams as they did.
“You know, I can’t lie and say I didn’t think about it. Of course it was in back of my mind. Coming into the court I knew that I have a chance to make the history. Of course it served as a great motivation, as a great imperative to play my best.
“I tried not to think about it too much, but it was there as an encouragement, as a positive feedback, and a goal.”
As for the runner-up Murray, his next challenge will be fatherhood. The Scot’s wife is expecting their first child in the next two weeks, so he was on his way back home after the festivities.
During the trophy presentation he tearfully addressed his wife Kim: “You’ve been a legend the last two weeks. Thank you so much for all your support. “I’ll be on the next flight home.”
“I’m proud I got into this position – just quite looking forward to get home now.”
“I saw some of the stats just at the end of the match,” Murray said. “He won 25 more points than me, 26 more points. I had 25 or 26 more unforced errors.
“You know, I think I didn’t hit my forehand particularly well at the beginning of the match. I started to hit it better in the third set. But, yeah, that was it.”
Djokovic’s next mountain to climb is to win the French Open, the only major he has never captured.
“Very hungry” (to win Roland Garros). But wolf needs to eat a lot of different meals to get to Paris. Paris is a dessert.”