Page 20 - at
P. 20
20
SPORTSMonday 1 February 2016
Djokovic wins 6th Australian title; Murray loses 5th final
JOHN PYE Novak Djokovic of Serbia addresses the crowd after defeating Andy Murray of Britain in the men’s gel Sears, was in Australia
AP Sports Writer as coach for Ana Ivanovic,
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 31, but became ill and had to
— In five previous Austra- be rushed to a nearby hos-
lian Open wins, Novak 2016. Associated Press pital by ambulance while
Djokovic had never felt so Murray was on court in his
much love. third-round match. After
After maintaining his per- a night in hospital, Nigel
fect record in six finals at Sears was well enough to
Melbourne Park — and ex- return home, which meant
tending his old friend Andy Murray could stay in Aus-
Murray’s streak to five loss- tralia and try to refocus on
es from five championship winning the title.
deciders Down Under — “It’s been a tough few
Djokovic had hundreds of weeks for me away from
Serbian fans singing and the court,” Murray said in
chanting his name so loud- his post-match speech,
ly he could barely hear before turning his attention
questions in a TV interview. to his wife. “You’ve been a
While Djokovic was still cel- legend the last two weeks.
ebrating his 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (3) Thank you so much for all
victory on Sunday night, your support,” he said,
equaling Roy Emerson’s re- choking back tears and
cord of six Australian titles, waving as he walked away
Murray was rushing for the from the microphone. q
airport to catch a flight
back to Britain to reunite working in harmony. I’ll try
with his pregnant wife. to keep it that way.”
“I never experienced this His next objective is a first
much crowd and this much Grand Slam title on clay
love,” Djokovic said. “I’ve to complete his collec-
had the fortune to win this tion. Djokovic has reached
trophy now six times, but I three finals at Roland Gar-
never experienced such ros, but never won the
support.” Djokovic has won French Open.
the last three Grand Slam After getting on his hands
titles, and four of the last and knees and kissing the
five, to lift his career haul court at Rod Laver Arena,
to 11 — equaling Rod La- and going to the stands to
ver and Bjorn Borg in fifth hug Boris Becker, his coach
place on the all-time list. since 2014, Djokovic paid
“I don’t take anything for tribute to Murray in his post-
granted, even though I match speech.
won last four out of five “You’re a great champion,
Grand Slams, played five great friend, a great per-
finals, it’s phenomenal,” son who is very profession-
said Djokovic, reflecting on al and committed to this-
a period of time in which sport,” he said. “So I’m sure
he was married, became in the future you’ll have
a father and only lost one more opportunities to fight
match in five major cham- for this trophy.”
pionships — the final of the As a father himself, he
French Open. “No doubt didn’t want to delay Mur-
that I’m playing the best ray’s departure.
tennis of my life in the last The 28-year-old Scotsman
15 months. had his share of distractions
“Everything is going well in Australia. His wife, Kim, is
privately, as well, so I feel due to have their first child
like I’m at the point in my in February and didn’t trav-
life where everything is el with him. Kim’s father, Ni-
