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Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic admits it was emotionally tough not having his father in his courtside box during Sunday night's final.
Key points:
- Srdjan Djokovic did not attend the final after last week's well-publicised incident
- His son says he felt hurt not having his father watching from his courtside box
- The two caught up at Melbourne Park after the match
Srdjan Djokovic did not join family members and his son's support team for the match at Rod Laver Arena.
His absence came after last week's well-publicised incident in which he was filmed standing with a group displaying a banned Russian flag that was superimposed with Vladimir Putin's face.
He also chose to miss Friday night's semifinal.
Djokovic said it was decided that his father would not attend the final, to avoid further media coverage, despite Australian Open organisers giving permission.
In the final, Djokovic defeated third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas to win his 10th Australian Open — and a record-equalling 22nd major — as well as reclaim top spot on the world rankings.
The Serb said he was upset his father was not in his courtside box.
"I thought the things will calm down in terms of media and everything, but it didn't," Djokovic told reporters at Melbourne Park.
"We both agreed it would probably be better that he is not there.
"That hurts me, and him, a lot because these are very special, unique moments. Who knows if they repeat again.
"So, it was not easy for him."
The emotion Djokovic said he experienced due to his father's absence — and the significance of what he had just achieved on court — was clear to see after he sealed his win.
Djokovic climbed into his courtside box to celebrate with his mother, Dijana, and one of his brothers, as well as coach Goran Ivanišević and other members of his support team.
During the animated celebrations, Djokovic collapsed, sobbing, before returning to the court for the presentation ceremony.
While his father was missing from the box, Djokovic said they caught up with each other at Melbourne Park after the final.
"He was not feeling his best, let's say, even though he was very happy to hug me," he said.
"I could see that he's a bit sad. Look, it is what it is. I think, in the end, what he told me is that it's important that I feel good on the court. I win the match and he's here for me.
"If it's going to be better for me … that he's not in the box, then so be it. That was the whole conversation.
"In a way, I'm also sad that he was not there, present, in the stands. But he was throughout the entire tournament, so it's fine. In the end, we have a happy ending."
'A matter of survival'
Djokovic said he had felt nervous about the reception he would receive in Australia after he was deported from the country on the eve of the 2022 Open.
He also faced the challenge of managing a hamstring injury that he carried into this year's tournament, although he revealed his condition improved ahead of the fourth round.
The 35-year-old said he felt "huge pride and satisfaction" after claiming another major championship, as he had doubted if he could win during the build-up to the Australian Open.
"It required an enormous mental energy to stay present, to stay focused, to take things day by day, and really see how far I can go," he said.
"If I turn back the time [to] two-and-a-half weeks ago, I wasn't really liking my chances in this tournament, with the way I felt with my leg.
"Then it was just a matter of survival [in] every single match, trying to take it to the next round."
Ivanišević said he was in awe of Djokovic's ability to put the distractions he faced to the side.
"The guy is unbelievable. I don't know how to describe in words," he said of Djokovic.
"I thought I saw everything and then you see this."
Djokovic's triumph over Tsitsipas means he now sits alongside long-time rival Rafael Nadal with 22 major singles titles, which is a record in the men's game.