Novak Djokovic's game 'undoubtedly most complete on circuit' says Toni Nadal after Australian Open triumph

ByDan Quarrell

Published 31/01/2023 at 14:47 GMT

The plaudits have been flying in for Novak Djokovic ever since he clinched his 22nd Grand Slam singles title at the 2023 Australian Open on Sunday with his stunning victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas. Now Toni Nadal has lined up to praise the 35-year-old. The veteran coach recognised "what the Serbian player has achieved is as amazing as it is admirable" in his latest column.

Toni Nadal has described Novak Djokovic's game as "undoubtedly the most complete on the circuit" after he secured his 10th Australian Open title on Sunday.

The 35-year-old returned to the top of the world rankings with his latest triumph at Melbourne Park as he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in the showpiece final on Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic now has 22 Grand Slam singles titles to his name - the same tally as his great rival Rafael Nadal - as he returned to Australia in style to claim the opening major of the new season.

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For Uncle Toni, who now coaches rising Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime, the result in Melbourne was a demonstration, not only of Djokovic's "complete" game but also of the fact that he is a "fighter to the point of exhaustion" - much like his nephew.

“His game is undoubtedly the most complete on the circuit, which allows him to play both attacking and defending," Nadal wrote in his latest El Pais column.

"He is decisive and a fighter to the point of exhaustion, and he responds with astonishing serenity in moments of maximum tension.

"He also has the ambition and the consequent desire to continue improving. Proof of this is his service, highly perfected in recent times.

“In the first set, the player from Athens [Tsitsipas] wanted to play Novak precisely, one on one, with fast and aggressive shots, constantly changing the directions of his shots. So it still seems almost impossible to beat him, unless you are Roger Federer.

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“As much as we are already used to it, what the Serbian player has achieved is as amazing as it is admirable.

"That 15 years after that 2008 [edition of the Australian Open], in which he lifted his first major in Melbourne, he has done it again for the 10th time there, and with such an impressive tennis level, should astonish the people of the world of tennis."

Rafael Nadal was also quick to praise Djokovic, writing on Instagram: “Amazing achievement, Nole,

“Many congrats to you and your team. Well deserved. Enjoy, Nole!”

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The 2023 Australian Open was live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk

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