Djoker in seventh heaven as crushing of Rafa makes him king of the Open

With the demolition of a legend, Novak Djokovic has ­become the most successful man in the history of the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic lifts the trophy after his clinical defeat of Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final in Melbourne last night. Picture: Getty Images

With the devastating demolition of a legend on Rod Laver Arena last night, Novak Djokovic has ­become the most successful man in the history of the Australian Open.

The Serbian superstar claimed a record seventh Australian Open title with near flawless tennis in thrashing Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 6-3 in a staggeringly lopsided final. Fittingly, given the honour he now owns, Djokovic produced perhaps the finest performance of an extraordinary career.

Roy Emerson had either owned or shared the record for the past 52 years, but the world’s top-ranked man surpassed both the Australian icon and Roger Federer in winning a seventh decider from seven attempts on a court he has largely owned since a maiden grand slam success in 2008.

The manner of his victory last night and the method with which he has largely dominated the sport since Wimbledon last year, after a surprising two-year stint as an also-ran before his surgery on an elbow injury, highlights the prospect the Australian Open record will not be the only one to fall to him.

“I had the surgery exactly 12 months ago,” Djokovic said after being presented with the trophy.

A shattered Nadal. Picture: Getty Images

“To be standing now here in front of you today and managing to win this title and three out of four slams, this is truly amazing. I’m speechless.”

Nadal, who has also had a horror run with injuries, was philosophical after the stunning loss.

“Even if tonight was not my night, for me it is so important to be where I am today,” he said.

“Again, coming back from injury, I really believe that I played a great two weeks of tennis. That’s going to be a good inspiration for myself for what’s coming.”

In winning his 15th major, Djokovic surpassed Pete Sampras last night to move to third on the all-time honour roll behind Federer, who holds 20 grand slam titles, and Nadal, a 17-time champion at major level. The youngest man of the three at 31, the world No 1 will arrive in Paris in late May seeking to claim a non-calendar grand slam for the second time in his ­career after his magnificent run through 2015 and 2016.

The conversation regarding which of the three is the greatest male player of all time, or at least of the modern era, will continue this year and for as long as the ­titanic trio continues a domination of the sport stretching back to 2005. Perhaps it is simply best to marvel with astonishment at what all three have achieved in the grandest of careers.

The level at which Djokovic performed last night left Nadal bewildered and on the back foot from the first point. Nadal described it as “an amazing level of tennis”.

But it also drew expressions of incredulity from the legends sitting courtside, among them Laver and Emerson, and in commentary boxes broadcasting the savaging around the world. Pitted against one of the greatest ever defenders in tennis, the King of Melbourne Park reigned supreme on his serve. Nadal could garner just one point on return from the first 26 serves he faced.

In truth, the 32-year-old did well to win the few games he did; Djokovic was simply devastating in all facets. To make just four unforced errors in the opening two sets is as close to perfection as can be seen on a tennis court.

And he did so by repeatedly attacking one of the greatest shots in tennis, the Nadal forehand. Being armed with the backhand equivalent enabled the onslaught and it wreaked havoc with the confidence of Nadal, whose streak of losses to his great rival on the hardcourt dates back to 2013.

It was the first time Nadal has been beaten in straight sets in the 25 grand slam finals he has played.