Novak djokovic retained his Australian open crown and won a 17th grand slam after defeating Dominic thiem in a grueling five-set final.
The serbian second seed won 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 for a record-extending eighth title at Melbourne park.
The 32 year old serb, twice called the doctor while trailing before fighting back.
Djokovic, who fluctuated from steely brilliance to being emotionally erratic and back again, took the first of two championship points when thiem pulled a forehand wide.
Austrian fifth seed, 26 year old thiem, still awaits his first major title after losing a third grand slam final.
He had lost to rafael nadal on different occasions in the french open final going into another grand slam final against another one of tennis: big 3, Rafael Nadal.
His latest triumph moves him within three of Swiss Roger federer’s all-time leading tally of 20 men’s singles titles, with spain’s Rafael Nadal now only two ahead on 19.
The Serb’s fightback ensured the wait continues for somebody to break the stranglehold of the old guard, with Djokovic, Nadal and Federer having won the past 13 grand slam titles.
Only switzerland’s stan Wawrinka, who won the us open title in September 2016 managed to break the triopoly of tennis: most decorated players.
Djokovic will also return to the top of the world rankings, replacing Nadal.
