Novak Djokovic Thrashes Nadal to Win a Record Seventh Australian Open

Novak Djokovic has won a record seventh Australian Open, sweeping aside Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 6-3 in two hours and four minutes on Rod Laver Arena. No man has won more Australian Open titles; the plant-based Serb has moved clear of Roy Emerson and Roger Federer, who won six each.

It was close to a perfect performance. Djokovic hit 34 winners and made only nine unforced errors, while Nadal, who had not dropped a set all tournament, made 28. It is the first time Nadal has lost a Grand Slam final in straight sets.

The win is Djokovic's 15th major, taking him past Pete Sampras into third on the all-time list, and his third in a row after Wimbledon and the US Open. According to Tennis.com, he is also the first man in the Open Era to win three straight Grand Slam finals in straight sets, and he is now 7-0 in Australian Open finals.

A year ago he was about to have elbow surgery and his career looked in doubt. He said:

I'm trying to contemplate on the journey in the past 12 months. I had surgery exactly 12 months ago. To be standing now here, in front of you today, managing to win this title and three of the four Slams is truly amazing.

Djokovic has eaten gluten-free since 2010 and follows a mainly plant-based diet. In 2016 he opened Eqvita, a vegan restaurant in Monte Carlo. He doesn't call himself vegan, and a 2016 Wall Street Journal interview summed up his diet as "vegan with a little fish here and there". He credits the way he eats for clearing up allergies and asthma that used to hold him back. At 31, he is moving better than ever.

We covered Djokovic becoming the first man to win all nine Masters 1000 titles in Cincinnati last summer. Earlier this month Hong Kong's Vivian Kong won a fencing World Cup in Havana, and The Economist declared 2019 the year of the vegan.

Seven in Melbourne. Powered by plants.