He has won the Australian Open a record 10 times, with Roger Federer and Roy Emerson his nearest competitors with six each.

Djokovic is eyeing one more Australian Open title, with the Serbian sitting seventh in the ATP rankings ahead of the event.

The 37-year-old won his first-ever Grand Slam title at the tournament in 2008, where Djokovic beat Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

What Novak Djokovic said about his ‘incredible’ 2012 Australian Open final win vs Rafael Nadal

But it was his success four years later that Djokovic simply had to admit was the greatest victory of his career.

And it came against his long-term rival Rafael Nadal, with the top-seeded Serbian defeating the second-seeded Spaniard in the 2012 Australian Open final.

In a stunning battle, their world-class quality gave fans more than they could have ever hoped for, with Djokovic eventually winning 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5–7), 7–5 after 5 hours and 53 minutes.

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A breathless encounter was epitomised by a thrilling 31-shot rally that forced Djokovic onto his back and Nadal to the sidelines to gather his thoughts.

Asked in his post-match press conference if it was the greatest win of his life, the Serbian replied: “Ah, yes. Right now, yes. Probably Wimbledon because Wimbledon is right up there next to this one because it’s just the tournament that I always dreamed of winning.

“But this one I think comes out on the top because just the fact that we played almost six hours is incredible, incredible.

“I think it’s probably the longest final in the history of all Grand Slams, and just to hear that fact is making me cry, really.

“I’m very proud just to be part of this history, part of the elite of the players that have won this tournament several times, and I was very flattered to be playing in front of Rod Laver, in front of the all‑time greats, and in front of 15,000 people that stayed until 1:30 a.m. It’s incredible, really.”

Did Novak Djokovic feel sorry for Rafael Nadal after third consecutive Grand Slam win?

At almost six hours, Djokovic and Nadal played out the longest Australian Open match by duration, and the longest Grand Slam singles final in the Open Era.

The pair had been well used to meeting in Grand Slam finals at this stage of their careers, having met for a third consecutive major final at the 2012 Australian Open.

Frustratingly for Nadal, he lost all three, before finally getting his revenge in the next Grand Slam final, winning the 2012 French Open.

And while Djokovic did reserve some sympathy for his opponent after his win in Melbourne, he did suggest that the sport is capable of throwing up such luck.

Asked if there was any part of him that felt sorry for Nadal, he replied: “Well, you know, I was in that position.

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“I was in that position a couple of years ago, losing most of the semi-finals and finals against him and Roger in Grand Slams so I know how it feels.

“I really thought what I said sincerely on the court, is that unfortunately there had to only be one winner because we both gave it all. We both put 100% of our abilities on the court and played to the last moment.

“Unfortunately there couldn’t be two winners, but he definitely deserved to be a winner as well tonight. I would be saying the same thing if I’m sitting here as a loser.”

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