Celebrity

Novak Djokovic chokes up in tribute to family after winning Australian Open

Jan 28, 2019

Novak Djokovic became emotional in a post-match speech. Source: Twitter/Australian Open (left) and Getty (right).

Novak Djokovic fought back tears as he paid an emotional tribute to his family after winning the Australian Open men’s final.

The Serbian tennis star, 31, beat Rafael Nadal in an incredible final which saw him crush his opponent in straight sets in just two hours and four minutes at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena – with the final score sitting at 6-3 6-2 6-3.

While his wife Jelena was watching from home with their two children, she was front and centre when it came to her husband’s closing speech on court.

“I would like to say hello to my family, starting with my wife and my son Stefan and daughter Tara,” he said. “I hope they’ve been watching – well at least they said before the match that they would watch.”

"To be standing now here in front of you today and managing to win this title and three out of four Slams is truly amazing."

It's been a whirlwind 12 months for @DjokerNole 🙌#AusOpen #AusOpenFinal pic.twitter.com/aZfEHwKNBr

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2019

As the crowds cheered, he stopped to compose himself as he choked up and went on: “Trophies are even more special when I have someone so dear and so special to me in my life to share this with…

“They are my dearest people on this planet next to my two brothers and my parents. I love them very much. I want to thank them for unconditional love and support through all these years.

“They’ve sacrificed a lot of their time and energy for me to live my dream to be standing here today and I try to always remind myself and not take that for granted.”

The win marks Djokovic’s seventh Australian Open crown – putting him two grand slam wins short of Nadal and five from Roger Federer.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtIkp9PDvBB/

Meanwhile, the sports star’s wife shared a lovely photo on Instagram of her and their children sat down together watching his match.

She followed it with a photo of her husband holding up the trophy and wrote: “So proud of you amore!! So, so, so proud.

“Those 3 weeks away were full on and absolutely magical – record and history breaking/making! My champion!!! Now it’s time to come back home! Daddy duty awaits – you can take morning shifts since that’s your time zone.”

It comes just hours after Japan’s Naomi Osaka beat Petra Kvitova in Saturday night’s women’s grand final.

Osaka and her Czech opponent put on a gripping display for spectators, with the pair battling it out in tight sets until Osaka cinched the win at 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-4 in two hours and 27 minutes at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.