Can anybody stop Novak Djokovic?

Novak Djokovic won his 15^th major on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.

His triumph over the Spaniard means he is the first male player to win seven titles in Melbourne. He was previously tied with Roger Federer and Roy Emerson on six. Djokovic was the favourite for the title in Melbourne and was 11/10 with Betfred before the tournament started.

It was also his third Slam in a row, having won Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018.

Record Chaser

With his Grand Slam tally now up to 15, the Serb said he is motivated by “having a shot” at Roger Federer’s (below) all-time men’s record of 20 Grand Slam victories.

“Of course it motivates me,” he said.

“Playing Grand Slams, the biggest ATP events, is my utmost priority in this season and in seasons to come.

“How many seasons are to come? I don’t know. I’m not trying to think too much in advance.

“I do want to definitely focus myself on continuing to improve my game and maintaining the overall wellbeing that I have – mental, physical, emotional – so I would be able to compete at such a high level for the years to come.”

G.O.A.T?

If Djokovic (below) were to surpass the Swiss maestro’s total, would it make him the greatest of all time?

Many tennis fans and pundits alike consider Roger Federer to be the best player to have ever stepped onto a tennis court. Mainly due to the number of titles he has won, and the fact he is still competing for the top prizes at 37 years of age.

Djokovic was ranked outside the world’s top 20 just last July after undergoing surgery on his elbow. Fast-forward eight months and he is the current holder of three of the Grand Slams (Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open) and has a very good chance at winning the fourth (French Open).

The French Open is Rafael Nadal’s (below) territory, as the ‘King of Clay’ has won a record 11 titles at Roland Garros.

However, Djokovic was victorious on French soil in 2016, as he defeated Andy Murray in the final, making him the reigning champion of all four Grand Slams – otherwise known as the “Nole Slam”.

This historic feat made Djokovic just the third player in history to hold all four majors at once, and the first since Rod Laver in 1969.

If Djokovic wins the 2019 French Open (9/4 with Betfred), he would complete the “Nole Slam” for a second time. To achieve this once is remarkable, but if the Serb completed this for a second time that would surely move him further up in the G.O.A.T conversation.

Nadal will no doubt be the obstacle in Djokovic’s way if he wishes to create history once more. The Spaniard is favourite for the French Open at 4/5.

The 31-year-old is aware of the challenge he faces and said after his victory in Melbourne on Sunday: “The ultimate challenge is to win there against Nadal. Then you have [Dominic] Thiem and [Alexander] Zverev, Roger [Federer] is probably going to play. You have a lot of great players that on clay can challenge me or anybody else.”

Unstoppable?

The question is can anybody realistically stop Djokovic?

His standard of tennis on Sunday was similar to the superhuman levels he was producing back in 2015 and 2016.

What he did to Rafael Nadal on Sunday, turned what had been a discussion about their strengths, along with the longevity of Roger Federer, into an assertion that Djokovic has moved into another area of brilliance.

Nadal had looked to be in the best form throughout the tournament, not dropping a set before the final. If Nadal couldn’t stay with Djokovic for more than a few dispersed moments of a final that lasted only two hours and four minutes, winning eight games and failing to take a point off his serve 56 times in 69 attempts, then what hope has anyone else got?

If you’re betting on the tennis, Betfred.