Novak Djokovic made ‘huge statement’ to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at Australian Open

Australian Open: Novak Djokovic discusses injury issues

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Novak Djokovic made a “huge statement” to his rivals and the rest of the tennis world with his ninth Australian Open win on Sunday, according to Mats Wilander. Djokovic brushed aside Daniil Medvedev in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena. The Serb has now won all nine of his finals at the Melbourne tournament.

Djokovic has now won 18 career men’s Grand Slam singles titles.

He is two behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who lead the way in the men’s game on 20.

Wilander says Djokovic sent a message to his rivals with his performance against Medvedev, who had won his previous 20 matches heading into the clash.

The pundit says the Serb was almost faultless in both his semi-final and final victories.

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“It was an unbelievable performance; Djokovic got the dream start, and then Medvedev came back somehow and you thought maybe this was going to turn into a tough match,” Wilander said on Eurosport.

“But then Novak just played better and better and better. A little bit of a hiccup early in the second set, but he is so solid, and he wins points in so many different ways.

“That’s a huge statement to them, to us, to the whole world. Novak is just so complete these days, he can hit those little drop shots, he can come to the net, he’s got choices.

“When you watch Novak play at the Australian Open, it looks as difficult to beat him here as it does to beat Rafa Nadal at Roland-Garros.

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“The last two matches were faultless – he just didn’t make any mistakes in the semi-finals or the final.

“It shouldn’t be because it’s a faster court, it should be much more difficult, but he looks so solid, so confident, and once he gets into the lead I don’t know what you have to do.”

After the victory, Djokovic revealed he will focus more on the slams and review his schedule going forward, similar to how Federer has in recent years.

“I don’t feel like I’m old or tired or anything like that,” Djokovic said.

“But I know that, you know, biologically and realistically things are different than they were 10 years ago for me.

“I have to be smarter with my schedule and peak at the right time.

“So the slams are the tournaments where I want to be able to perform my best.

“Now, after achieving the historic No 1 for the longest weeks at No 1, it’s going to be a relief for me becauseI’m going to focus all my attention on slams mostly.”

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