After obtaining a deferment from the federal government to return to Australia after his dramatic deportation last year, Djokovic has overcome an injury, more controversy and six hungry opponents to reach a record-extending 33rd Grand Slam Singles final in Melbourne .
Facing Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday night, the 35-year-old father-of-two feels “privileged” to be back at the Rod Laver Arena – where the super-Serbian has won 27 consecutive games dating back to 2018 – but takes nothing if naturally on.
“Look, the final stage of a slam at this stage of my career, I know every grand slam is a golden opportunity for me to try and get another trophy,” said Djokovic.
“I don’t know how many chances I will get. Of course I feel it. I feel pressure. I feel stress like any other player. I feel nerves. I feel excitement. There are many different emotions that I go through.”
In addition to being denied the chance to compete in the 2022 AO, Djokovic was banned from the US Open and several other major events in America for not being vaccinated against Covid-19 and not receiving ranking points for winning his seventh Wimbledon crown because of the All England Club’s refusal to allow Russians and Belarusians to play.
Yet he can still take injured Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz from the top of the table with a win over Tsitsipas after proving he is still the most dominant force in men’s tennis by taking another five titles, including the showpiece of the season championship, during a heavily disrupted 2022 campaign. .
Tsitsipas will also rise to world No. 1 for the first time as he claims a maiden grand slam title in a truly high-stakes Open climax.
But the 24-year-old will have to reverse a streak of nine straight defeats to Djokovic, who leads the pair’s overall career streak 10-2.
Djokovic denied Tsitsipas in the 2021 French Open final and is quietly confident that he will regain the size of his Monte Carlo neighbour.
“I know his game pretty well. He knows my game well. I know what to expect and I’m excited,” said Djokovic.
“Fortunately for me at this stage of my career, because of all the achievements, it’s always basically every match or tournament that there’s always something on the line, especially when the grand slams are played.
“Of course I’m privileged to be in this position and I hope for the best.”
Despite his poor head-to-head results against Djokovic, Tsitsipas says he “couldn’t be more ready for this moment” after winning all 10 of his matches so far this year.
“This is a very humbling opportunity for me. To be here in the final means a lot,” he said.
“Starting here as one of my first junior grand slams, and now being in the final of the men’s tournament is just as important as my very first steps on the tennis court.
“I’m going to take this opportunity and prepare myself for this big day.”
Djokovic is confident the hamstring injury that plagued him in the early rounds is behind him and is also hoping to have his father Srdjan back in his box after watching his son’s victory over Tommy Paul in the off-field semi-finals .
Srdjan Djokovic said it was not his intention to offend after a video emerged showing him posing at the Open with fans holding Russian flags.
“My father, my whole family and myself went through several wars in the 1990s. We are against war,” said the nine-time champion.
“I hope he feels good to be in court because I would love to have him there for the final.”