Novak Djokovic's departure makes way for tennis as Australian Open begins

 The uproar surrounding the tennis star was a major distraction from the build up to the Australian Open that began Monday

In the wake of Novak Djokovic’s departure from Melbourne on a wave of controversy and drama, the city is hoping the world’s attention will refocus on what he actually came for: the first grand slam of 2022. The uproar surrounding the tennis star was a major distraction from the build up to the Australian Open that began Monday, including the potential comeback of Andy Murray or the chance world womens’ no. 1 Ash Barty will be the first local to win her home tournament in 44 years.

For host city Melbourne, the event should be a welcome boost to morale and businesses as Covid restrictions continue and cases keep rising. “As the players have said themselves, they want the focus to be on the tennis and the tournament,” Victoria state deputy premier James Merlino told reporters on Monday. “This is the biggest global sporting event for the month of January, and we’re going to celebrate it for the next two weeks and hopefully see Ash Barty hold up a trophy.”…Read More

Djokovic beats Federer to win fifth Wimbledon title in longest ever final

At 4 hours and 57 minutes, it was the longest Wimbledon final ever played and settled by a final set tiebreak for the first time

Novak Djokovic saved two match points to clinch a fifth Wimbledon title and 16th major on Sunday, shattering Roger Federer’s bid to become the oldest Grand Slam champion in the longest final ever played at the tournament.

Despite being outplayed by the 37-year-old Swiss for large parts of the knife-edge encounter, the world number one triumphed 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 13-12 (7/3). At 4 hours and 57 minutes, it was the longest Wimbledon 2019 final ever played and settled by a final set tiebreak for the first time. Djokovic is the first man in 71 years to win the title from match points down. He is now level with Bjorn Borg as a five-time Wimbledon winner.

“I think that if this is not the most exciting final then definitely it’s in the top two or three of my career against one of the greatest players of all time, Roger, who I respect,” said Djokovic. “Unfortunately in this type of match someone has to lose. It is quite unreal to be two match points down to come back and strange to play a tie-break at 12-12.” Djokovic is just four Grand Slam titles shy of the all-time record held by Federer who is more than five years older.

It was incredibly tough on Federer, chasing a ninth Wimbledon 2019 crown, who didn’t face a break point until the eighth game of the fourth set. He even had two match points in the 16th game of the deciding set which lasted over two hours. “It was long and it had everything. I had answers, so did he and we played some great tennis,” said Federer…