Novak Djokovic had trouble keeping his emotions in check after the final win
The Australian Open 2023 is over - and what a huge spectacle the first Grand Slam tournament of the year was. A highly emotional and high-quality tennis show was offered over two weeks. Surprises were observed as well as again underpinned demonstrations of power. We review the highlights of the "Happy Slam" Down Under with a picture gallery. Have fun.
#GALLERY#
Novak Djokovic was given a very warm welcome upon his return to Melbourne. Despite some unrest during the two-week event, the Serb's comeback can be described as a success.
Big disappointment for Rafael Nadal: The defending champion had to give up in the second round against the American Mackenzie McDonald due to a hip injury.
Emotional farewell: Sam Stosur finally ended her professional career after her first-round defeat in women's doubles. The lady from Brisbane achieved a total of eight Grand Slam successes (1x singles, 4x doubles, 3x mixed)
Andy Murray impressively showed his fighting qualities in the first rounds. The Scot defeated both Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis in epic five-set battles before losing to Roberto Bautista Agut in round three.
The Australian Open 2023 was a disappointment for the players from the DACH region. Only Laura Siegemund reached the third round as the only German-speaking player.
For the men, Ben Shelton was the big tournament surprise. The 20-year-old US boy made it to the quarter-finals, where he lost to compatriot Tommy Paul in four rounds.
Magda Linette from Poland was convincing in the women's category. Only in the semifinals was the world number 45. against the future champion Aryana Sabalenka.
Well over 900,000 spectators attended the spectacle in Melbourne Park over the two-week period. It is probably only a matter of time before the million mark is cracked.
There was another farewell to professional tennis in mixed. With the lost final alongside Rohan Bopanna, Sania Mirza played her last career match. In the final, the Indian couple lost to Stefani/Matos (Brazil).
Aryana Sabalenka saw a high-class women's final as a deserved winner. The Belarusian prevailed against the Kazakh Elena Rybakina 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4.
Also on the second Saturday of the tournament, the wildcard local heroes Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler pulled off a surprise: The Australian duo won the doubles competition with a two-set victory over Hugo Nys (Monaco) and Jan Zielinski (Poland).
Aryna Sabalenka posed with her first Grand Slam trophy before the women's doubles final. The 24-year-old spoke of the most beautiful morning of her life.
The Czechs Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova continue to play well in women's doubles and won their seventh major together with a final win over the Japanese Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara.
You may have never seen such an emotional Novak Djokovic. After the three-set win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final, the Serb stormed to his box and fervently screamed his heart out.
With the tenth Australian Open title and his 22nd major success overall, the 35-year-old drew level with the Spaniard Rafael Nadal. For Stefanos Tsitsipas it's just a matter of waiting for the first Grand Slam triumph.
by Stefan Bergmann
Sunday
Jan 29, 2023, 07:45 pm
last edit: Jan 29, 2023, 04:23 pm
