The Australian Open is one of the biggest events in tennis, and it’s no surprise that the Melbourne-based tournament causes the sporting world to sit up and take notice.
With its familiar spot on the calendar in January, the Australian Open is an event that truly raises the curtain on the sporting year.
As a result, we’ve seen some cracking finals at Melbourne Park, and recent editions of the tournament have served up some real drama. As the action continues at this year’s tournament, and as fans analyse the Australian Open 2023 betting odds, let’s take a look back at the last five finals.
2022: Rafael Nadal bt. Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5
Last year’s final was a true classic. While Rafael Nadal made history by winning a record 21st Grand Slam title, there was heartbreak for Daniil Medvedev, who lost his second Australian Open final in a row.
It was the Russian who made the stronger start, winning the first two sets to make himself the firm favourite for the title. Nadal, who was making his return in Melbourne after a lengthy injury absence, drew on all his experience to claw his way back into the match, and edged a close-fought final set to seal a memorable triumph.
2021: Novak Djokovic bt. Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2
Novak Djokovic has had plenty of success at the Australian Open over the years, and he enjoyed a comfortable win in the 2021 final, beating Medvedev in three sets.
The first set was hard fought, but after losing it Medvedev appeared to lose confidence, and Djokovic swarmed all over him to seal the title with considerable ease.
2020: Novak Djokovic bt. Dominic Thiem 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
The year before, Djokovic had a much more difficult run to the title. On this occasion, it was Dominic Thiem who stood in his way, a player with experience of playing in major finals, and the Austrian certainly made Djokovic work for his victory.
The Serbian took the opening set 6-4, but Thiem hit back in dramatic fashion, winning the next two sets to put himself on the brink of the title. However, Djokovic summoned all his powers of recovery and snatched the title away from Thiem.
2019: Novak Djokovic bt. Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3
In 2019, Djokovic enjoyed one of his most satisfying wins of all time, as he swept aside Rafael Nadal with considerable ease. The players have had an intense rivalry throughout the last decade or so, but this was a one-sided affair, with Djokovic winning in straight sets.
It was a match where Djokovic proved once and for all just what a master of the hard courts he is, and Nadal didn’t have an answer to his dominance.
2018: Roger Federer bt. Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
Roger Federer’s triumph at the 2018 Australian Open will go down in history as the last Grand Slam title he ever won in his career, and what a memorable match it proved to be. Marin Cilic was his opponent, and the Croatian must have felt that Federer was there for the taking.
After four sets, the players could not be separated, and Federer just couldn’t shake off his determined opponent. However, the Swiss found another level in the fifth and deciding set, producing a commanding performance to win it 6-2 and get his hands on the trophy.
