Novak Djokovic’s picture with these tennis legends following Australian Open win sets social media alight

Novak Djokovic confirmed his stature as the greatest as he put in a clinical display to decimate Rafael Nadal in three straight sets and win his seventh Australian Open title. With 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win. With this extraordinary win, the 31-year-old has now 15 Grand Slam titles under his name. The Serbian world number one dominated the Spanish second seed to win his 15th Grand Slam title in just 2hr 4min on Rod Laver Arena. It put Djokovic out on his own ahead of Roger Federer and Roy Emerson, who both won six Australian Open men's singles titles. Djokovic dropped to the court and kissed the ground after vanquishing his greatest rival. No two men have met more often in the Open Era, this was their 53rd meeting, and no pair has pushed one another harder or further. Their only previous final in Australia, in 2012, developed into a record-breaking 5hr 53min slugfest -- the longest in Grand Slam history.

However, there is one photo which has Djokovic posing with some legendary names of tennis following the win. Djokovic is pictured with the trophy and accompanying him are Roy Emerson, Ken Rosewall, Fred Sedgman and Rod Laver, all legendry tennis players. Apparently, in the post-match press conference, Djokovic said that he had made Emerson angry in a funny way. “Mr. Emerson said he's p***ed with me because I broke his record (smiling),” Djokovic said. "It was the most beautiful, most expensive photo of the night, without a doubt, standing with those four legends. Yeah, I mean, I'll definitely cherish that forever.”

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The Australian Open was the third straight Grand Slam that he had won, having clinched Wimbledon and US Open in 2018. Djokovic will head into the French Open aiming to become the first man in the history of the Open Era to win all four Grand Slams more than once. This represents a remarkable turnaround for the Serb, who had undergone an elbow surgery and it seemed his best days were behind him.

“"I'm just trying to contemplate on the journey in the last 12 months. I had the surgery exactly 12 months ago," he added, referring to an elbow operation that saw him slump out of the world's top 20 before bouncing back to win Wimbledon and the US Open. "To be standing now here in front of you today and managing to win this title and three out of four Slams, this is amazing. I am speechless."

HIGHLIGHTS

• Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open for a record 7th time.
• Djokovic's head-to-head record against Rafael Nadal is 28-25.
• Djokovic has now won Wimbledon, US Open and now Australian Open.