Australian Open 2020 final: Novak Djokovic defeats Dominic Thiem in five-set epic
Novak Djokovic is the Australian Open champion for the eighth time after battling the crowd, the chair umpire and a mystery illness to defeat Dominic Thiem in a five-set epic.
Leo Schlink
2 min read
February 3, 2020 - 5:57AM
Novak Djokovic has contrived a miracle Australian Open escape, scrambling to a dramatic five-set triumph over Dominic Thiem in one of the most gripping grand slam finals in history.
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Edging closer to greatest of all-time acclaim with a record eighth Melbourne Park title, Djokovic faces almost certain censure following a controversial 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 victory marred by a clash with French umpire Damien Dumusois.
Seemingly in cruise mode, Djokovic grabbed Dumusois’ foot on the changeover after losing serve in the ninth game of the second set.
Novak Djokovic roars on his way to an eighth Australian Open title.
Livid after earning successive time code violations for taking too long to serve, Djokovic – president of the ATP player council - could be fined up to $30,000 for making contact with Dumousis.
Grand slam rules define physical abuse as “the unauthorised touching of an official, opponent, spectator or other person.”
The episode underlined Djokovic’s frustrations as he struggled to deal with fitness issues as Thiem turned the match on its head to eventually lead by two sets to one before the Serb regrouped.
Djokovic had earlier clashed with Dumusois after being disturbed by mid-rally comments from the spectators, prompting the Serb to yell “shut the f… up” at a pro-Thiem crowd.
In desperate trouble mid-match, Djokovic tapped into renewed energy to deny Thiem before adding the 2020 Norman Brookes Challenge Cup trophy to those lifted in 2008, 2011-13, 2015-16 and 2019.
Novak Djokovic grabbed the chair umpire's foot during a mid-match meltdown.
Only the second man in history along with Ken Rosewall to win majors in three different decades, Djokovic’s 17th grand slam crown leaves him on the heels of Roger Federer (20) and Rafael Nadal (19).
At 32, and armed with 78 career titles, Djokovic is at the peak of his powers.
Tested on Rod Laver Arena which has become a personal fortress with 75 wins from 83 matches, Djokovic extended the Big Three’s reign to 13 consecutive majors.
No other player outside Djokovic, Federer and Nadal has secured a grand slam singles title since Stan Wawrinka at the 2016 US Open.
Dominic Thiem played some incredible tennis, but just couldn't match the Djoker when the whips were cracking.
Djokovic joins Nadal (12 French trophies) and Federer (eight Wimbledon crowns) as the only men in history to snare the same major eight or more times.
This was the first time in Djokovic’s burnished career he has won a grand slam final after trailing by two sets to one.
He appeared disconsolate and destined for defeat after snarling at Dumusois in the second set.
“Great job man. You made yourself famous, well done,” Djokovic told the Frenchman.
"You made your mark on this match.”
Djokovic didn't have it all his own way in the five-set epic.
Pushed to the absolute limit by Thiem’s power and precision, Djokovic found a solution where most players would have plummeted to defeat.
The match-deciding service break came in the third game of the deciding set when Thiem’s forehand malfunctioned.
From there, Djokovic clawed his way to one of the most hard-fought successes of his career.
With 46 winners and 57 unforced errors to Thiem's 55 and 57, Djokovic needed a minute shy of four hours to tame the brave underdog.
Updates
Djokovic's bold prediction for Thiem's future
Joe Barton
He fell short tonight, but Dominic Thiem will finish his career as a multiple grand slam winner – according to the man who broke his heart tonight.
Novak Djokovic made the bold prediction that Thiem has multiple grand slam titles in his future after stunning the Austrian fifth seed in a mighty five-set comeback win.
Djokovic started his acceptance speech – his eighth at Melbourne Park – by singling Thiem out for praise.
"I would like to start by saying congratulations to start by saying congratulations to Dominic for amazing tournament," Djokovic said.
"It wasn't meant to be tonight. Tough luck. It was a tough match. But you were very close to win it.
"You know, you definitely have a lot more time in your career and I'm sure that you will get one of the Grand Slam trophies. And more. More than one."
Djokovic wins 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4
That was a mighty comeback from the Serbian superstar.
He looked down and out after meekly conceding the third set in 47 minutes. But what an extraordinary turnaround – one befitting a champion, who now has 17 grand slam titles to his name.
Djokovic picked his moments in the fourth and fifth sets as Thiem's game tightened up. The battles he'd had this tournament seemed to come back to bite the fifth seed, who had spent six hours more than Djokovic on court this tournament.
Thiem can hold his head up high. He's close. And grand slam titles are in his future…. but for now, it's still Novak Djokovic holding the torch.
DJOKOVIC WINS EIGHTH AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Joe Barton
Djokovic wins 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4
That was a mighty comeback from the Serbian superstar.
He looked down and out after meekly conceding the third set in 47 minutes. But what an extraordinary turnaround – one befitting a champion, who now has 17 grand slam titles to his name.
Djokovic picked his moments in the fourth and fifth sets as Thiem's game tightened up. The battles he'd had this tournament seemed to come back to bite the fifth seed, who had spent six hours more than Djokovic on court this tournament.
Thiem can hold his head up high. He's close. And grand slam titles are in his future…. but for now, it's still Novak Djokovic holding the torch.
Fifth set: *Djokovic 5 - 4 Thiem
Joe Barton
Heavy serves from Thiem and he rolls through that game confidently, despite a double fault.
He will make Djokovic serve for this match.
No matter what happens, the Austrian has proven himself on the big stage. He has pushed Djokovic to the absolute limit and forced him into areas he's never been.
Fifth set: Djokovic 5 - 3 Thiem*
Joe Barton
Novak Djokovic is one game away from an eighth Australian Open title.
An extraordinary rally to open this game, won – just – by Thiem as Djokovic inexplicably finds the net when the lob looked the only option.
But Djokovic gets his serve going, including a remarkable, deep second serve at 30-30, to produce a tough hold.
He's now four points from one of the more ridiculous victories of his career.
This is gruelling stuff from both players. Djokovic is giving Thiem no cheap points.
But the Austrian keeps finding something in reserve – until his trusty backhand fails him.
The double break opportunity arrives by way of a netcord error.
Thiem rocks three big serves – the second, his 13th ace of the match – to escape.
He is hanging in by the skin of his teeth. But he needs to attack now.
Nine's Jim Courier gushes about the match.
"This match is, I think, perfectly fitting for what's been one of most exciting Australian Opens that we've probably seen in the last 15, 20 years," Courier says.
"Just match after match of drama from the beginning of this tournament and now ending with one.
"What a tournament."
Fifth set: *Djokovic 4 - 3 Thiem
Joe Barton
This is gruelling stuff from both players. Djokovic is giving Thiem no cheap points.
But the Austrian keeps finding something in reserve – until his trusty backhand fails him.
The double break opportunity arrives by way of a netcord error.
Thiem rocks three big serves – the second, his 13th ace of the match – to escape.
He is hanging in by the skin of his teeth. But he needs to attack now.
Nine's Jim Courier gushes about the match.
"This match is, I think, perfectly fitting for what's been one of most exciting Australian Opens that we've probably seen in the last 15, 20 years," Courier says.
"Just match after match of drama from the beginning of this tournament and now ending with one.
"What a tournament."
Fifth set: Djokovic 4 - 2 Thiem*
Joe Barton
"There's a different look about him. There's a different energy," Todd Woodbridge says of Djokovic after another cruisey hold is sealed with an ace.
"Completely a different focus. Real calmness now out there."
Fifth set: *Djokovic 3 - 2 Thiem
Joe Barton
A nervous – but important – hold there for Thiem.
On consecutive game points he pushes a half-volley wide and then finds the net.
But he digs out two big serves and escapes.
This set has gone on 25 minutes, and it's wearing on both players. Dominic Thiem has the young legs, but he's been on court more than six hours longer than Djokovic this tournament.
There's no more ruthless competitor than Djokovic, however. And he looks a different player from the shell of a player who conceded the third set.
Fifth set: Djokovic 3 - 1 Thiem*
Joe Barton
The great escape there, for Djokovic, who saves two break points to get out of an enormous hole.
Thiem turns to his backhand to work Djokovic over, and the hammer blows deliver a break point – as Djokovic slices one into the net.
But Thiem repays the mistake with a forehand error of his own.
Thiem, now, with all the work ahead of him. Djokovic rolling towards an eighth Australian Open crown.
