Good morning, and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the men's singles final - Dominic Thiem against Novak Djokovic.

A clearly exhausted Djokovic has nice words for his late friend Kobe Bryant and urges everyone to take care of their family and friends and to be aware of what is happening in the world around them.

Thiem starts by congratulating Djokovic and his team, and adds: "I hope I can get soon a rematch!" He has some words about the bushfires and the relief efforts, and then thanks everybody who has been involved with the event over the last fortnight. "It's an absolute pleasure to be here, to come here, I am looking forward to next year already," he concludes.

Marat Safin is all ready to present the trophy.

That's a 17th Grand Slam title for him, and it took him exactly four hours in this final to secure it.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 4-6 DJOKOVIC: Dominic Thiem has fought so hard and come so close, but in the end it's Djokovic whose experience and nous guides him through. An eighth Australian Open title for him and he hails the crowd.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 4-5 DJOKOVIC: We're about to see the clock tick over to four hours - and Thiem is going to make Djokovic serve this out.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 3-5 DJOKOVIC: A 28-shot rally ends with Thiem stuck at the net, the entire right side of the court exposed, and Djokovic playing limply into the net. But Djokovic isn't going to lose his serve that easily when an eighth Australian Open title is within touching distance.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 3-4 DJOKOVIC: Wonderful from Thiem, who briefly looks like he might get broken but still manages to retain focus and force Djokovic out wide.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 2-4 DJOKOVIC: Great retrieving from Djokovic, concluded with his eighth ace.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 2-3 DJOKOVIC: Thiem is looking just a little bit tired now but he will not let this go. Tenacious serving.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 1-3 DJOKOVIC: Thiem is upping his aggression too and taking plenty of risks, he has the chance to break as well but he hasn't got the right length on his shots and Djokovic wins his third game in a row.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 1-2 DJOKOVIC: It's Thiem who blinks first then as Djokovic takes the ball earlier and earlier, finding his stride.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 1-1 DJOKOVIC: A hold for Djokovic! Who will blink first?

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 1-0 DJOKOVIC: This is nail-biting stuff now.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 DJOKOVIC: A hold to love and we're into a deciding set!

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-5 DJOKOVIC: First break points for Djokovic in set number four courtesy of a Thiem double fault, and a long forehand gives the Serb the break - he'll serve to force the decider.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-4 DJOKOVIC: A great hold of serve for Djokovic who is just about keeping his nose in front in this fourth set.

THIEM 4-6 6-4 6-2 3-3 DJOKOVIC: Djokovic and Thiem trade sliced backhands, but the Austrian misses his last when he could have taken the game. A tremendous rally once more gives Thiem the advantage, which he takes.