How Novak Djokovic celebrated 2023 Australian Open victory

How did he celebrate a 10th Aus Open crown? What does he think of Australia? Will he be back in 2024? Novak Djokovic speaks after “a long night”.

Novak Djokovic the morning. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Relief proved the perfect nightcap for 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, who turned in from victory in the wee hours of Monday morning.

Djokovic said he had celebrated his record-equalling 22nd grand slam singles win with “media and doping control”, forecasting more festivities before his planned return to the court at the end of February.

“It was a long night, but of course a huge relief after the match,” he said, declaring he would definitely return in 2024 to defend his title.

“Ending a tournament and the whole journey here to Australia with a grand slam win is always incredibly satisfying. I owe all the success to my team members, my family … (after) going through some challenging times in the last three or four weeks.

“I haven’t had the chance to really celebrate as I would like to, I guess that’s going to come in Europe when I head back.”

Djokovic, 35, said his “severe” hamstring injury that hampered his lead-in and tournament was just one element faced, with a number of other off-court dramas including that involving his father, Srdjan, being pictured alongside pro-Russian demonstrators in the days before the final.

He plans to meet with doctors in coming days and hopes to return to playing in Dubai at the end of next month.

Novak Djokovic the morning. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“I’m going to do some medical check-ups … then I’ll be able to talk about it a bit more and understand the situation,” he said.

“As it stands today, I’m still signed in for the (ATP 500) Dubai tournament, which is in a month’s time. I hope I’ll be able to come back to the court in several weeks’ time.”

None of Djokovic’s family — including parents Srdjan and Dijana — joined him at his official photo shoot on Monday.

The Serbian admitted he had been unsure of how he would be received in Melbourne given his sensational deportation on the eve of last year’s tournament.

But on Monday, there was little doubt as the star was swamped by fans outside the gates of Victoria’s Government House.

Adults, kids and even a Serbian minister were among the mob that gathered for a glimpse of the 22-time grand slam winner, who got out of his car to sign autographs and take selfies with the flock of fans.

An ability to cast aside off-court drama and injury, he said, had come from having “no choice”.

“If I wanted to win the trophy I had to stay strong and not let any outside factors and disturbances distract me on my way to the title,” Djokovic said.

“Of course, after the last year’s events coming back to Australia, I was curious and a bit more nervous than normal.

Novak Djokovic is mobbed by fans. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP

“(I wondered) ‘how people will receive me? What kind of reception I would get on the court, off the court?’.

“Overall it was a very positive experience. I’m very grateful for that.

“Just before the tournament started, I had to deal with (the injury). And then few other events that were not necessary for me to deal with, especially in the later stages of the grand slam but I had to accept it … let it go away and then we (could) be focusing on what matters the most.”