Novak Djokovic won his 22nd grand slam title at the Australian Open on Sunday - then admitted it had been ‘one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played in my life’.

Serbian star Djokovic secured a 6-3 7-6 (4) 7-6 (5) victory over first-time Australian Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas to claim a 10th title in Melbourne.

He dropped just one set all tournament and also reclaimed the world number one ranking from Carlos Alcaraz.

After sealing victory, the 35-year-old climbed into the stands to celebrate with his team and family and was overcome with emotion, lying on the ground and sobbing uncontrollably.

Djokovic said: “This has been one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played in my life.

“Not playing last year, coming back this year. I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, made me feel comfortable to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia.

“There’s a reason I’ve played my best tennis on this court. Only my team and my family know what we’ve been through in the last four, five weeks. This probably is the biggest victory in my life considering the circumstances.

“It’s just a huge pride and satisfaction that I feel at the moment. 

“If I turn back the time two and a half weeks ago, I wasn’t really liking my chance in this tournament with the way I felt with my leg.

“It was a huge relief and release of the emotions in the end. Just difficult to find any additional words really. It’s been a long journey, but a very special one.”

It was a second grand slam final defeat for Tsitsipas, who also lost to Djokovic from two sets up at the French Open in 2021.

The Greek, who would have become world number one himself had he won, is confident he is on the right path, though, saying: “Today was my opportunity to be a world number one. I had a better opponent on the other side of the net who did things much better than me. He deserves that spot currently.

“It’s my time to aim for something like this. I don’t see any reason to be lowering my expectations or my goals. I am born a champion. I can feel it in my blood.”