Melbourne (AFP)

Djokovic has done his justice and it is relentless: the Serb beat Sunday in 5 sets Dominic Thiem to win his 8th Australian Open and his 17th Grand Slam title, three lengths henceforth from Roger Federer's record (20).

The 26-year-old Austrian exercised his right to defense well, even going on the attack, but Djokovic, who again became world N.1, is indeed the "King of Australia" like the Austrian l called before the final, and he's dictating his law in the Rod Laver Arena.

"It is without a doubt my short favorite and I am blessed to have been able to win this trophy again," said Djokovic after his 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6- victory 4 in 4 hours.

"I almost lost the match, I didn't feel very well," admitted the Serbian, who becomes the third player to win the same Grand Slam tournament 8 times after Rafael Nadal (12 Roland-Garros) and Roger Federer (8 Wimbledon).

"I lost all my energy (in the second set). When I threw the ball at the service, my head was spinning," he said to explain his surprising empty run in the 2nd and 3rd innings, presumably due to dehydration, he said.

- Domination -

In the Major titles race, this victory allows the 32-year-old Serb to get closer to his two big rivals Federer (38 years) and Nadal (19 major titles at 33 years).

But since the three players together dominate the tennis world, that is since Djokovic's first Major in Australia in 2008, Federer has won 9, Nadal 16 and the Serb, therefore, 17 with his Sunday trophy.

"Congratulations Novak, with Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal), you took tennis to a whole new level. I am honored to play at that time, even if I was a little short tonight," said for his part Thiem, obviously in the grip of a deep sadness.

For him, the Nadal sequence (beaten in quarters) -Zverev (eliminated in half) -Djokovic was perhaps too difficult physically and mentally: before the start of the final, the Austrian had spent 6 hours more on the court than Djokovic ...

But the latter assured the trophy presentation what he repeats since the start of the fortnight: Thiem, who lost his third Grand Slam final on Sunday after the two lost to Nadal at Roland-Garros (2018 and 2019) , will write big pages in the near future.

- Promise -

"You could have won tonight and you have time to win not one, but many Grand Slam tournaments," said the Djoker.

Nadal eliminated in quarters, Federer in physical difficulties: the elders could have seemed crumbly in Melbourne if it had not been for Djokovic, who further postponed the advent of the next generation.

Thiem, who again becomes 4th in the world, his best ranking, would have surpassed Roger Federer, 3rd, if he had won in Melbourne ...

That's not the case, and the numbers speak for themselves: the Big 3 has now won the last 13 Grand Slam tournaments, since Stan Wawrinka's victory at the US Open 2016. And all three were thirty years during these victories.

Since Federer won their first Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon in 2003, the trio have only missed 10 Majors out of 66 and only 7 players have entered their names on the charts (Andy Roddick, Gaston Gaudio, Marat Safin, Juan Martin del Potro, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic). Only 5 finals (US Open 2003 and 2014, Roland-Garros 2004, Australia 2005 and Wimbledon 2016) were played without at least one of the three ...

But the trio of hell has not yet matched its longest streak: from Roland-Garros 2005 to Wimbledon 2009, the three players have chained 18 major titles. This year, however, at the next Grand Slam, Roland-Garros, Thiem will be one of the big favorites!

© 2020 AFP